In a momentous announcement on Friday, the Church of England revealed that Sarah Mullally, currently the Bishop of London, is set to become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. This appointment is truly historic, as she will be the first woman to assume the spiritual leadership of 85 million Anglicans across the globe, heading a church with a heritage spanning over 1,400 years.
Bishop Mullally steps into this role following the resignation of Justin Welby last November. His departure came in the wake of a damning report, which highlighted his failure to adequately investigate allegations of extensive abuse against boys and young men at Christian summer camps, incidents that occurred decades prior.
At 63, Bishop Mullally brings a unique background to the position, having previously worked as a cancer nurse and even served as England’s chief nursing officer. Within the Church of England, she is a prominent and outspoken champion for women’s rights, having already made history in 2018 as the first female Bishop of London.
While the selection of a female archbishop wasn’t entirely unexpected—given that the final list included two other highly qualified women bishops—this decision undeniably ushers the church into a profound new era. It also has the potential to stir considerable debate and tension within the broader Anglican Communion, especially in its more conservative regions.
Archbishop Welby’s tenure concluded suddenly, marking the end of a period filled with significant public events. During his leadership, he oversaw grand ceremonies such as the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III, and frequently spoke with passion on critical social matters like immigration.
Despite not being personally implicated in abuse, Archbishop Welby’s downfall mirrors the sex-abuse scandals that have impacted leaders within the Roman Catholic Church. He leaves behind a church grappling with the fallout of this scandal, fractured by internal disagreements on issues like same-sex marriage, and striving to maintain its relevance and congregation in an increasingly secular society.
Bishop Mullally now faces the monumental task of rebuilding the church’s trustworthiness in child safeguarding and mending divisions over sensitive doctrinal matters, including marriage. Furthermore, she must navigate a sometimes-turbulent Anglican Communion, where conservative bishops, particularly in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, have historically challenged the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, despite the role’s traditional standing as a ‘first among equals.’