The Church of England has appointed Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, marking the first time in its 1,400-year history that a woman will hold the post.
Mullally, 63, currently serving as Bishop of London, will formally be installed at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026. She succeeds Justin Welby, who resigned in November 2024 following criticism of his handling of a child abuse cover-up scandal.
A groundbreaking moment for the Church of England
Mullally’s appointment is a watershed moment in British public life. Until reforms were introduced in 2014, women were barred from holding the role. Her elevation makes her the spiritual head of the 85 million-strong Anglican Communion, which spans more than 165 countries.
In a statement following her appointment, Mullally said she hoped to foster unity across a church divided on many social issues:
“I want, very simply, to encourage the Church to continue to grow in confidence. I look forward to sharing this journey of faith with the millions of people serving God and their communities in parishes all over the country and across the global Anglican Communion.”
Liberal stance sparks mixed reactions
During her tenure as Bishop of London, Mullally has championed progressive reforms, including blessings for same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriages.
Her liberal record, however, has deepened divisions within the Anglican Communion. GAFCON, a coalition of conservative Anglican churches in Africa and Asia, sharply criticized her appointment, declaring that it demonstrated how “the English arm of the Church had relinquished its authority to lead.”
The divide underscores the global fault line between more liberal congregations in the West and conservative branches, particularly in regions where homosexuality remains criminalized.
From nursing to the pulpit
Before entering the clergy, Mullally built a distinguished career in healthcare. A former cancer nurse, she rose to become England’s Chief Nursing Officer in the early 2000s. She has often drawn parallels between nursing and ministry:
“There are great commonalities between nursing and being a priest. It’s all about people, and sitting with people during the most difficult times in their lives,” she once reflected.
Ordained as a priest in 2002, Mullally was among the first women consecrated as bishops in 2015. Her reputation for compassion, transparency, and a willingness to engage in difficult conversations has shaped her leadership style.
Role in public life
Beyond her clerical responsibilities, Mullally is a member of the House of Lords, Britain’s unelected upper chamber, where she has spoken on issues including healthcare, the cost-of-living crisis, and social justice.
As Archbishop of Canterbury, she becomes not only the senior bishop of the Church of England but also a figure of national significance, given the Church’s role as England’s established church.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed her appointment, saying:
“The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and look forward to working together.”
Her appointment was made with the formal consent of King Charles III, who, as monarch, is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England—a role dating back to King Henry VIII’s break with Rome in the 16th century.
A church in transition
Mullally inherits a church grappling with declining attendance, internal divisions over doctrine, and a need to rebuild credibility after abuse scandals. Her challenge will be balancing tradition with reform, while seeking to hold together an increasingly fragmented global Anglican community.
Her background as a nurse and reformist bishop suggests she will lean into pastoral care, transparency, and dialogue as guiding principles.
Personal life
Mullally is married to Eamonn and has two adult children. She has spoken openly about her desire to create “an open and transparent culture” within the Church, one that allows for both disagreement and unity
