Canterbury appoints First Female Archbishop

The Church of England has named Sarah Mullally as its next Archbishop of Canterbury, marking the first time a woman will hold the 1,400-year-old office. Mullally, 63, has served as Bishop of London since 2018 and will also act as the ceremonial head of 85 million Anglicans globally. Her appointment drew immediate criticism from conservative Anglicans, especially in Africa, who oppose women bishops.

In her first address at Canterbury Cathedral, Mullally condemned sexual abuse scandals and safeguarding failures that have plagued the Church, as well as antisemitism following a synagogue attack in Manchester that killed two men. She vowed to focus on listening to survivors, caring for the vulnerable, and fostering a culture of safety and well-being. Linda Woodhead, a theology professor at King’s College London, praised Mullally’s management skills and emphasis on unity, gentleness, and strength as vital for the Church and the nation.

Mullally has championed liberal causes, such as blessings for same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriages, while acknowledging the ongoing tensions within the Anglican Communion over such issues. Regarding same-sex relationships, she stated that the Church has a long history of wrestling with difficult topics and recognized the anxiety such discussions provoke, though solutions may take time.

She has also opposed legislation allowing assisted dying, calling it "unworkable and unsafe" and a risk to society's most vulnerable. A former cancer nurse and England’s Chief Nursing Officer in the early 2000s, Mullally was ordained as a priest in 2002 and became one of the first women consecrated as a bishop in 2015. Drawing parallels between nursing and priesthood, she noted that both roles focus on people and supporting them in challenging times.

Mullally is married to Eamonn and has two adult children. Her installation at Canterbury Cathedral is scheduled for March 2026, following formal consent from King Charles, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England—a role established in the 16th century when King Henry VIII separated from the Catholic Church. The Church has been without a leader since last November, when Justin Welby resigned over a child abuse cover-up scandal.

In her address, Mullally also reflected on contemporary societal challenges, noting that people seek certainty amid complex moral and political issues, including migration and communities feeling overlooked. She emphasized hope drawn from her Christian faith in a world increasingly marked by division and violence.