Sarah Mullally Named First Female Archbishop of Canterbury in Historic Appointment
London, 4 October 2025 — In a landmark decision, the Church of England has named Dame Sarah Mullally, currently the Bishop of London, as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to hold the role since its founding in 597 AD.
A Trailblazing Leader
Mullally, 63, is a former Chief Nursing Officer for England, ordained in 2001 and appointed Bishop of London in 2018 — both firsts for a woman. Her nomination was confirmed by King Charles III following a UK-wide consultation led by the Crown Nominations Commission, which for the first time considered female candidates for the Church’s highest office.
She succeeds Justin Welby, who resigned in 2024 amid criticism over his handling of a clerical abuse scandal. Mullally will be formally installed at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026, following her Confirmation of Election at St. Paul’s Cathedral in January.
Vision and Challenges
In her statement, Mullally said:
“I want, very simply, to encourage the Church to continue to grow in confidence in the Gospel, to speak of the love that we find in Jesus Christ and for it to shape our actions.”
Her appointment comes at a time of theological tension within the Anglican Communion, particularly over issues of same-sex blessings and gender leadership, with some bishops and global churches expressing reservations.
Ecumenical Support
The announcement was welcomed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who praised her “spirit of service,” and by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, who assured her of prayers and support.
Mullally’s leadership will now extend to 85 million Anglicans across 165 countries, as she becomes the spiritual head of the global communion.
Sources: MSN, OSV News, Catholic News Agency.
Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury Picture from heute.at
