Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury, succeeding Justin Welby after his resignation following an investigation into abuse allegations.
The Church of England has made history with the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, marking a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to hold this prestigious position.
Mullally, who has served as the Bishop of London since 2018, will take over the role from Justin Welby, who resigned in November 2023. His departure followed an independent investigation that revealed he had failed to act upon allegations of serial physical and sexual abuse involving a volunteer at Christian summer camps.
This appointment is particularly noteworthy as Mullally will be the first woman to lead the Church of England, succeeding 105 male predecessors. Her leadership is expected to bring a new perspective to the role, which has traditionally been held by men since its inception.
As Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, Mullally will await confirmation of her election at St. Paul’s Cathedral in January 2026. Following this, a formal installation service is scheduled to take place in March at Canterbury Cathedral, further solidifying her historic appointment.
The Church of England serves as the mother church of the Anglican Communion, which boasts over 85 million members across 165 countries. Mullally’s leadership is anticipated to resonate not only within the Church of England but also throughout the global Anglican community.
This development comes at a time when the Church is navigating complex issues related to governance and accountability, particularly in light of recent scandals. Mullally’s appointment may signal a shift towards greater transparency and inclusivity within the Church.
As the Church of England embarks on this new chapter, many will be watching closely to see how Mullally addresses the challenges ahead and what her leadership will mean for the future of the Anglican Communion.
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