Sarah Mullally Appointed First Female Abp. of Canterbury

Sarah Mullally. Source: BBC

LONDON — On October 3, 2025, Bishop of London Sarah Mullally was appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sky News reports. For the first time in the history of the Anglican Church, this position was taken by a woman.

Mullally, the 63-year-old archbishop-designate, is married with has two children. Originally from Woking in Surrey, she was the UK's Chief Nursing Officer from 1999 to 2004. In 2005 she was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to healthcare. In 2015, she became the Bishop of Crediton, and in 2018, the 133rd Bishop of London.

The appointment came almost a year after the resignation of Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who resigned amid a sexual abuse scandal in the Church of England.

Speaking at Canterbury Cathedral, Sarah Mullally stated: "Today as I respond to the call of Christ in this new ministry, I remain rooted in my first calling, to follow Christ, to know him and to make him known in the world. "In the apparent chaos which surrounds us, in the midst of such profound global uncertainty, the possibility of healing lies in acts of kindness and love."

Mullally's appointment holds special significance for the entire Anglican Church. She is known as a proponent of "inclusivity": she is a supporter of same-sex marriage and of abortion.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated the new archbishop and noted that the Church of England plays a huge role in the life of the country. "The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and look forward to working together," he said.

The decision to appoint a woman, according to observers, will be a turning point in discussions about the role of women and liberal reforms in the Church of England.

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