Anglican Church Named First Woman’s Archbishop of Canterbury

Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, making history as the first woman to hold this esteemed position within the Church of England and the global Anglican community, marking a significant milestone in the church’s nearly 500-year history.

The vacancy arose following the resignation of Justin Welby in November, after an investigation that revealed he had not adequately reported, investigated, or contained an individual who, for decades, operated evangelical summer camps and subjected young boys to various forms of abuse, including sexual, physical, and psychological maltreatment.

An investigative report released by the church identified John Smyth as “arguably the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England.”

Women were permitted to become bishops in the Church of England starting in 2014.

At the age of 63, Mullally has consistently broken barriers throughout her career. In 2018, she became the first female Bishop of London, which is the church’s third most senior clerical position.

Before her ordination in 2001, she had a distinguished career in nursing and, at the age of 37, became the youngest individual appointed as England’s Chief Nursing Officer.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is formally nominated by the British monarch, who acts on the advice of the Prime Minister, who, in turn, relies on the recommendations of a Church of England commission. Mullally is scheduled to be installed as the 106th Archbishop during a ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026.

It is worth noting that Britain is perceived as a more secular nation in comparison to the United States, both in terms of individuals identifying as having no religion and the rates of regular church attendance.

Nevertheless, the Church of England maintains a substantial symbolic presence within national identity and values. The Archbishop of Canterbury, for instance, plays a pivotal role in significant state events, including coronations, royal weddings, and funerals.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Mullally’s appointment. “The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life,” Starmer said in a statement. “I wish her every success and look forward to working together.”

“The Church of England is of profound importance to this country,” he said. “Its churches, cathedrals, schools, and charities are part of the fabric of our communities.”

In her first address since being named archbishop — carried by the state broadcaster on Friday — Mullally spoke about major domestic and global issues. She condemned Thursday’s Yom Kippur attack on a synagogue in Manchester, which left two people dead, and said the church had a duty to stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism in “all its forms.”

She also highlighted extreme poverty; the “ever worsening climate crisis”; solidarity with “our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters”; and the “horrors of war” for people in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Turning to the church’s own failings, Mullally stressed the importance of preventing abuse and responding more effectively when concerns are raised.

She also noted the historic nature of her appointment.

“Some will be asking what it means for a woman to lead the Church of England and to take on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s global role in the Anglican Communion,” she said.

“I intend to be a shepherd who enables everyone’s ministry and vocation to flourish,” she continued, adding, “I give thanks for all the men and women, lay and ordained deacons, priests and bishops who have paid the paved the way for this moment and to all the women that have gone before me.”