Sarah Mullally Named First Female Archbishop of Canterbury
In a historic announcement on Friday, the Church of England revealed that Sarah Mullally will be the next Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to hold this prestigious position.
Mullally expressed her gratitude and commitment in a statement, saying, “As I embrace this new role, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and others that has guided me since my youth. Throughout my journey as a nurse and in Christian ministry, I have learned the importance of listening deeply to people and to God’s guidance.”
She acknowledged the weight of her new responsibilities but shared her confidence, stating, “I approach this role with a sense of peace and trust in God to support me as He always has.”
Mullally’s appointment has been met with widespread approval from various leaders across the U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that King Charles III approved her nomination, emphasizing her importance in the national life and wishing her success in her new role.
York Archbishop Stephen Cottrell expressed his delight, praising Mullally as a figure of courage and integrity. He looks forward to working with her to help the Church of England communicate its message with simplicity and boldness.
Mullally, who has served as the Bishop of London since 2018, succeeds Justin Welby, the former archbishop who resigned after an investigation revealed he failed to report serious allegations of abuse at summer camps.
She will officially hold the title of Archbishop of Canterbury following her confirmation at St. Paul’s Cathedral in January 2026, with her installation ceremony scheduled for March at Canterbury Cathedral.
The Church of England is a prominent part of the Anglican Communion, which includes over 85 million members worldwide across 165 countries.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
