Sarah Mullally becomes first female Archbishop of Canterbury

Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury — becoming the first woman to occupy the role in the nearly 500-year history of the Church of England.

Mullally’s appointment took effect on Friday, October 3, following King Charles’ approval.

She would become the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide.

Mullally, 63, was ordained Bishop of London in 2018 — the church’s third most senior bishop after the archbishops of Canterbury and York.

The new archbishop previously worked as a nurse in London hospitals, rising to the position of chief nursing officer for England and director of patient experience in the National Health Service.

The church had been without a leader for almost a year after Justin Welby resigned over his failure to report a prolific child abuser.

Following a public consultation process that commenced in February, the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) nominated Mullally to fill the vacant seat.

A HISTORY OF FIRSTS

Mullally became the youngest ever chief nursing officer for England at 37 in 1999.

In 2018, she became the Bishop of London at St Paul’s Cathedral, the first woman to hold the role.

One of her goals has been to attempt to steer the Church of England’s decision on whether to bless same-sex marriages.

In 2023 after approval was granted, she described the decision to finally allow priests to bless same-sex couples as “a moment of hope for the Church”.

Mullally acknowledged the responsibility and thanked the church for the trust.

“As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and to others that has motivated me since I first came to faith as a teenager,” she said.

“At every stage of that journey, through my nursing career and Christian ministry, I have learned to listen deeply — to people and to God’s gentle prompting — to seek to bring people together to find hope and healing.

“I want, very simply, to encourage the Church to continue to grow in confidence in the Gospel, to speak of the love that we find in Jesus Christ and for it to shape our actions.

“I know this is a huge responsibility but I approach it with a sense of peace and trust in God to carry me as He always has.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Mullally’s appointment.

“The Church of England is of profound importance to this country,” Starmer said.

“Its churches, cathedrals, schools, and charities are part of the fabric of our communities.

“The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and look forward to working together.”

Mullally is married and shares two children with Eamonn, her husband.

Her election confirmation will be held at the St Paul’s Cathedral in London in January, with her installation billed for March.