Sarah Mullally Appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury

London — 

Sarah Mullally has been named the new Archbishop of Canterbury, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to lead the Anglican Church, which comprises 85 million members worldwide.

At 63, Mullally served as Bishop of London starting in 2018, making her the Church of England’s third-highest bishop. Prior to her ordination, she worked as a nurse in London and later became England’s Chief Nursing Officer.

In her response to her appointment, Mullally expressed, “As I accept this call from Christ to a new ministry, I carry the same spirit of service that I’ve embraced since my teenage years of faith.”

Mullally will lead an organization facing challenges in relevance amidst a secular society, aiming to unify its conservative and liberal factions while working to restore trust after a scandal involving child abuse cover-ups.

Justin Welby, the previous archbishop, resigned last year for not reporting allegations against John Smyth, who faced accusations of abusing boys in the 1970s and 1980s. An independent report revealed that senior church members, including Welby, were aware of the abuse by 2013.

Following her appointment, Mullally committed to ensuring the church listens to abuse survivors, supports the vulnerable, and creates a secure environment for all. Her confirmation comes as she prepares to tackle declining church attendance and financial issues, striving to engage younger generations.