LONDON: Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, making history as the first woman to be chosen for the Church of England’s highest post in nearly 500 years.
A former chief nurse in the NHS, Mullally, 63, was ordained as a priest in 2006 and made history again in 2018 when she became the first female Bishop of London—the Church’s third most senior role, the BBC reported.
She will also become the ceremonial head of 85 million Anglicans worldwide.
In her first public statement following the announcement on Friday, she condemned the “horrific violence” of Thursday’s deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue, declaring: “Hatred and racism cannot tear us apart.”
“Mindful of the horrific violence of yesterday’s attack on a synagogue in Manchester, we are witnessing hatred that rises up through fractures across our communities,” she said, adding that it was her Christian faith that gave her hope in a world which often feels “on the brink”.
“My commitment will be to ensure that we continue to listen to survivors, care for the vulnerable, and foster a culture of safety and well-being for all,” she said.
The Church of England has been without a permanent Archbishop of Canterbury for nearly a year, following Justin Welby’s resignation amid a safeguarding scandal.
Welby stepped down after a report revealed he “could and should” have reported the abuse committed by John Smyth, a prolific child abuser linked to the Church, to police as early as 2013.
In the interim, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell assumed most of Welby’s responsibilities. Cottrell, who also participated in the selection of the new archbishop, has himself faced calls to resign over his handling of a separate abuse case.
The Church of England first ordained women as priests in 1994, with the first female bishops appointed two decades later in 2014.
As per tradition, the appointment process involves the chosen candidate’s name being submitted to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who then passes it on to the monarch for final approval.
PM Starmer wishes her ‘every success’
Reflecting the Church of England’s status as England’s established church, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office announced Mullally’s appointment on Friday with the formal consent of King Charles.
“The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and look forward to working together,” Starmer said in a statement.
While King Charles III is technically the head of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury serves as its most senior bishop and the spiritual leader of both the Church and the global Anglican Communion.
Buckingham Palace said the King has congratulated Sarah Mullally on her historic appointment, noting the role’s significance both in the UK and across the worldwide Anglican community.
