Sarah Mullally has been appointed the new Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to hold the role in its 1,400-year history. She takes the helm of the Church of England amidst significant challenges, including declining relevance, internal divisions, and a major child abuse cover-up scandal.
Sarah Mullally, whose career began as a distinguished nurse and included serving as Chief Nursing Officer for England, has been named the new Archbishop of Canterbury. This historic appointment makes her the first woman to hold the position in 1,400 years, positioning her as the spiritual leader for 85 million Anglicans worldwide. Mullally, 63, previously served as the Bishop of London and is known for her strong administrative skills and her support for allowing blessings for gay couples within churches. She assumes leadership of the Church of England at a critical juncture. The institution is struggling to maintain relevance in an increasingly secular nation, bridge deep divides between its more conservative and liberal wings, and rebuild trust following a major child abuse cover-up scandal. Her predecessor, Justin Welby, resigned over his failure to report John Smyth, who was accused of abusing dozens of boys. Mullally has committed to ensuring the church listens to survivors, cares for the vulnerable, and fosters a culture of safety. Her elevation was made possible by reforms under Welby that allowed women to be consecrated as bishops a decade ago. However, her appointment has 'rankled' more conservative factions of the Anglican church, particularly groups like GAFCON in Africa and Asia, which argue Canterbury has 'relinquished its authority.' The Vatican offered muted congratulations, noting the ongoing disagreement over women's ordination, which remains a barrier to unity between the Catholic and Anglican churches. As Archbishop, Mullally will be the public face of the church, speaking at national moments and presiding over major royal events. Her responsibilities will include leading efforts to address declining church attendance, particularly among younger people, and confronting financial challenges. Mullally's appointment was recommended by the Crown Nominations Commission and formally made by King Charles, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. She will be officially installed in March, becoming the 106th archbishop since Saint Augustine arrived in 597 AD.
