The Church of England has appointed Dame Sarah Elisabeth Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, marking the first time in its more than 1,400-year history that a woman will lead the Anglican Communion.
Mullally, who has served as the Bishop of London since 2018, emerged as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury following her approval by the Crown Nominations Commission and confirmation by the monarch.
Born in Woking, Surrey, in 1962, Mullally initially trained as a nurse and rose to the position of Chief Nursing Officer for England before entering the priesthood. She was ordained in 2001, consecrated bishop in 2015, and became Bishop of London in December 2017. She has also held the role of Dean of the Chapel Royal since 2019.
Her appointment comes at a critical time for the Church, which is grappling with divisions over safeguarding failures and leadership crises during the tenure of outgoing Archbishop Justin Welby. Mullally has pledged to strengthen safeguarding systems and rebuild public trust.
She has also been recognized for her measured approach to contentious debates on women in ministry and human sexuality — issues that continue to divide the Anglican Communion globally. While advocates of gender equality hail her emergence as a historic milestone, conservative blocs within Africa and Asia are expected to react with caution.
Observers note that her dual background in public service and church leadership offers a rare combination of administrative expertise and pastoral sensitivity. Many believe these qualities will be crucial as she seeks to unite the Church of England and navigate the diverse perspectives of the global Anglican family.
With her election, the Church of England has taken what many consider a bold step, one that could shape its identity and influence for generations to come.