Anglican appoints first female Archbishop of Canterbury

Anglican appoints first female Archbishop of Canterbury

In a historic first for the Anglican Communion, the Church of England has appointed Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to hold the position in more than 1,400 years.
The announcement, made Friday, confirms Mullally, 63, as the 106th spiritual leader of the world’s 85 million Anglicans. She succeeds Justin Welby, who stepped down in November after criticism of his handling of historic sexual abuse allegations linked to church-affiliated summer camps.

Mullally has served as Bishop of London since 2018, a role that positioned her as the church’s third most senior cleric. Before entering ordained ministry, she built a distinguished career in healthcare, working as a cancer nurse before becoming England’s chief nursing officer.

A prominent advocate for women’s rights within the church, Mullally has long been seen as a reformist voice. Her appointment, though anticipated — with two other women also shortlisted — marks a landmark moment in Anglican history and signals the church’s evolving stance on gender and leadership.

Yet, her elevation comes at a time of significant turbulence. Welby’s decade as archbishop was defined by high-profile public roles — including the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III — but ended under the shadow of the church’s ongoing abuse scandal.

The Anglican Communion also remains deeply divided over same-sex marriage, doctrine, and authority, with conservative churches in Africa, Asia, and Latin America openly challenging Canterbury’s leadership. Declining church attendance in Britain adds to the strain.

Mullally now inherits the task of restoring public trust in safeguarding, healing internal rifts, and holding together a fractured global family of churches.