The Church of England made a landmark announcement on Friday: Sarah Mullally, currently the Bishop of London, will assume the prestigious role of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. This appointment is monumental, as she will become the spiritual leader for 85 million Anglicans worldwide and the very first woman to ever lead a church with origins stretching back over 1,400 years.
Bishop Mullally steps into this pivotal position following the resignation of Justin Welby last November. His departure came after a report revealed serious shortcomings in the investigation of widespread abuse allegations involving boys and young men at Christian summer camps decades prior.
At 63 years old, Bishop Mullally brings a unique background to her new role. A former cancer nurse who also served as England’s chief nursing officer, she has long been a powerful voice advocating for the rights of women within the Church of England. Since 2018, she has held the distinction of being the first female bishop of London.
While the selection of a female archbishop wasn’t entirely unexpected—two other women bishops were on the shortlist—it undeniably ushers the church into an unprecedented era. This historic shift could potentially stir tensions within the diverse Anglican Communion, given that some of its regions hold more conservative views than the Church of England itself.
Archbishop Welby’s resignation marked an abrupt conclusion to a tenure filled with significant public events. He presided over the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III, and became a prominent public figure passionately addressing controversial subjects such as immigration.
Despite not being personally accused of any abuse, Archbishop Welby’s leadership was ultimately undermined by a sex-abuse scandal, a type of crisis that has also affected leaders within the Roman Catholic Church. He leaves behind a church not only stained by this scandal but also deeply divided on issues like the recognition of same-sex marriages, all while grappling with declining congregation numbers in an increasingly secular world.
Bishop Mullally now faces the formidable task of rebuilding the church’s credibility, particularly in the critical area of safeguarding young people. She will also endeavor to heal the divisions over marriage and other deeply rooted doctrinal matters. Furthermore, her leadership will navigate a sometimes fractious Anglican Communion, where conservative bishops in regions like Latin America, Asia, and Africa have previously challenged the traditional authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is typically regarded as a first among equals.