The Church of England on Friday appointed Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to lead the centuries-old church and the global Anglican Communion.
Mullally, 63, succeeds Justin Welby, who stepped down earlier this year following a damning abuse scandal that rocked the Church. Her nomination by the Crown Nominations Commission was formally approved by King Charles III, the church’s supreme governor, cementing her place as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury since the role was first established in the late sixth century.
In a statement following the announcement, Mullally — a former nurse who became the first female Bishop of London in 2018 — acknowledged the immense weight of her new responsibility but expressed faith in her calling.
“I am deeply aware of the huge responsibility entrusted to me, but I feel a profound sense of peace and trust in God to carry me through this journey,” she said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the appointment, calling it a historic moment for the Church and the country.
“The Church of England is of profound importance to this country. Its churches, cathedrals, schools, and charities are part of the fabric of our communities,” Starmer said. “The new archbishop will play a key role in our national life.”
The leadership change follows the resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby, who faced criticism for failing to report sexual abuse allegations involving John Smyth, a lawyer and evangelical leader accused of abusing up to 130 boys and young men during the 1970s and 1980s. Smyth died in South Africa in 2018 while under investigation, never facing trial. The scandal, described as one of the most significant in the Church’s history, fueled calls for sweeping reforms and greater accountability.
Mullally’s appointment comes amid shifting demographics and declining church attendance. Despite having about 20 million baptised members, weekly attendance at Church of England services has fallen to just under one million, according to 2022 figures.
Her rise also reflects the Church’s evolving stance on women in leadership. The Church of England only began allowing women bishops in 2014, decades after other Anglican provinces had embraced female clergy. The first female Anglican bishop was appointed in the United States in 1989, and today, more than 40 of England’s 108 bishops are women, with a similar representation among priests.
Mullally, ordained in 2002, brings decades of pastoral and leadership experience to the role. As Archbishop of Canterbury, she will lead not only the Church of England but also serve as the spiritual head of the 85 million-strong Anglican Communion, spanning over 165 countries worldwide.
Her appointment is widely seen as a transformative moment in Anglican history — one that signals a new era of inclusivity and reform for a church grappling with its past and striving to remain relevant in a changing world.
