In a truly historic moment, Sarah Mullally, who began her career as a nurse and rose to become the first female Anglican bishop of London, was officially appointed on Friday as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. This monumental decision places her as the spiritual leader for 85 million Anglicans across the globe and marks the first time a woman will hold this ancient and revered position, which dates back over 1,400 years.
Archbishop-designate Mullally steps into this role following the resignation of Justin Welby last November. His departure came amid significant pressure after a report revealed his failure to adequately investigate widespread allegations of abuse against boys and young men at Christian summer camps decades prior.
At 63 years old, Archbishop-designate Mullally brings a diverse background to her new role, having previously served as a cancer nurse, a health administrator, and even England’s chief nursing officer. Known as a strong advocate for the rights and increased representation of women within the Church of England, she has served as the Bishop of London since 2018, a position she assumed after being ordained as a priest in 2002.
While the prospect of a female leader wasn’t entirely unexpected, with other women bishops rumored to be in contention, Mullally’s selection ushers the church into an uncharted new era. This groundbreaking decision could, however, spark disagreements within the global Anglican Communion, which encompasses both the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in the United States.
Indeed, many bishops across the Anglican Communion hold more traditional views on women’s roles and other societal matters compared to their counterparts in the Church of England. The church itself has long grappled with internal divisions, particularly between reformers and traditionalists, especially concerning issues such as same-sex marriage.
During her address from the altar of Canterbury Cathedral following the announcement, Archbishop-designate Mullally paid tribute to the pioneering women who served the church before her. She articulated an inclusive vision, offering a reassuring response to questions about the impact of a female archbishop.
In her thoughtful 10-minute speech, she declared, “I intend to be a shepherd who enables everyone’s ministry and vocation to flourish, whatever our tradition.” She also extended an olive branch to the worldwide Anglican community and strongly denounced the recent terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England.
Archbishop-designate Mullally highlighted the growing animosity observed across communities, stating, “We’re witnessing hatred that rises up through fractures across our communities.” She assured Britain’s Jewish community of the church’s unwavering solidarity, emphasizing, “Hatred and racism of any kind cannot be allowed to tear us apart.”
Furthermore, she committed to addressing the profound harm and distrust caused by the abuse scandal, acknowledging that it had “left a legacy of deep harm and mistrust.”
She candidly admitted the church’s past shortcomings in confronting power misuse, stating, “As a church we have too often failed to take seriously the misuse of power in all its forms.” She underscored the challenge ahead: “This will not be easy. We must all be willing to have light shone on our actions, regardless of our role within the church.”
Archbishop Welby’s departure marked an unexpected end to a busy period during which he oversaw significant public events, including Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral and King Charles III’s coronation. He was also a prominent voice on sensitive topics like immigration.
While Archbishop Welby himself faced no direct accusations of abuse, his tenure concluded amidst a sex-abuse scandal reminiscent of those that have impacted the Roman Catholic Church. He leaves a church grappling not only with the lingering stain of this scandal but also with deep divisions over same-sex marriage and the challenge of declining attendance in an increasingly secular society.
Despite the historic nature of her appointment, some experts view Archbishop-designate Mullally as a relatively cautious choice. She has been actively involved in most of the church’s significant debates. Set to be 64 upon her formal installation next year, she will have a six-year term before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Francis Martin, a staff writer for The Church Times in London, noted, “She’s very much a known quantity.” He added, “She’s not a surprise choice, even if a historic and unprecedented one.”
Experts suggest that Archbishop-designate Mullally’s immediate priorities will include rebuilding the church’s trust in safeguarding young individuals. She is also expected to work on mending divisions concerning same-sex marriage, assisted dying legislation, and other contentious issues that have impacted the church’s public image.
Andrew Atherstone, a professor of modern Anglicanism at the University of Oxford, commented that “The Church of England has had quite a mauling in the public and the press.” He believes that “They are looking for an archbishop who can lead in the restoration.”
Professor Atherstone also anticipated that Archbishop-designate Mullally would adopt a less international travel-focused approach than her predecessor, which he considers a pragmatic move given the existing tensions within the Anglican Communion. Conservative Anglican bishops in regions like Latin America, Asia, and Africa have, in the past, expressed reservations about the Archbishop of Canterbury’s traditional role as a leader among equals.
The selection process for the new archbishop was notably shrouded in mystery, akin to the conclave electing a Roman Catholic pope. However, it spanned almost 11 months, significantly longer than the 17 days it took to choose Pope Leo XIV.
A 17-member Crown Nominations Commission, chaired by Jonathan Evans, former head of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency MI5, convened in May. This diverse group, comprising bishops and representatives from the Canterbury diocese, the Anglican Communion, and the General Synod, worked to narrow down a long list of potential candidates.
Following interviews with the finalists over the summer, the commission held its decisive meeting last week. There, the new archbishop secured the necessary two-thirds vote, received approval from King Charles (the supreme governor of the Church of England), and her appointment was formally announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Beyond her ecclesiastical duties, Archbishop-designate Mullally also holds a seat in Britain’s House of Lords, a position she gained as the Bishop of London. Should she follow in Archbishop Welby’s footsteps, she is poised to become a significant advocate on issues such as immigration and assisted dying.
Notably, she has already voiced opposition to proposed legislation that would permit terminally ill individuals to seek assistance in ending their lives, a stance she attributes to her professional background as a nurse.
Archbishop Welby previously steered the church through a protracted and contentious debate surrounding same-sex marriage. While the Church of England permits its priests to bless same-sex couples, the broader question of formally recognizing these unions remains under discussion. Archbishop-designate Mullally aligns with the church’s traditional view that marriage is between a man and a woman, yet she has consistently advocated for a more welcoming and inclusive approach.
However, some observers believe that the deep-seated divisions within the church on social issues may be beyond any single leader’s ability to fully resolve. They suggest that instead of trying to heal every rift, the new archbishop should prioritize her primary role as the Primate of All England and be less concerned with asserting control over a sometimes-unruly Anglican Communion.
Diarmaid MacCulloch, a renowned ecclesiastical historian and expert on the Church of England at Oxford, remarked, “You can’t square circles forever.” He concluded, “I would wish that the new archbishop wouldn’t try.”