Sarah Mullally Makes History as First Woman Archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally, a 63-year-old former nurse, has made history as the first woman appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. The announcement, approved by King Charles III and the Prime Minister's office, follows the resignation of Justin Welby. Mullally, ordained a priest in 2002 and the first female Bishop of London in 2018, brings a wealth of experience from her time in the National Health Service.
Mullally's journey to the highest office in the Church of England is notable. She worked in the NHS for over three decades, rising to become its chief nursing officer for England. Her appointment comes after a lengthy selection process and follows the resignation of Archbishop Welby, who stepped down after a report highlighted the Church's failure to address abuse cases. Mullally acknowledged the 'huge responsibility' of her new role and vowed to improve safety within the Church.
The Archbishop-elect opposes plans to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. She becomes the first woman to lead the centuries-old mother church of the world's 85-million strong Anglican community. The Church of England, despite having around 20 million baptised members, sees only about one million regular churchgoers.
Sarah Mullally's appointment as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury signals a significant milestone in the Church of England's history. Her background in nursing and her commitment to improving safety within the Church are expected to bring a fresh perspective to the role. She will succeed Archbishop Welby and take on the responsibility of leading the Church through a period of change and reflection.
