Sarah Mullally Becomes First Woman Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in Historic Church of England Milestone

The Church of England has made history with the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to hold the role in more than 1,400 years of its existence.

Mullally, 63, currently the Bishop of London, will now lead the Anglican Communion, which represents more than 85 million members worldwide. Her career began in healthcare, where she rose to the position of Chief Nursing Officer for England, before entering the priesthood and steadily rising through the church hierarchy.

Speaking after her appointment, Mullally described her new role as a continuation of a life of service.

“As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and others that has guided me since my youth,” she said.

Her elevation follows the resignation of former Archbishop Justin Welby last year, after intense criticism of his handling of a decades-old child abuse cover-up. Mullally promised to prioritize healing, accountability, and the safeguarding of vulnerable people within the church.

“Our history of safeguarding failures has left deep harm and mistrust. My commitment is to listen to survivors, care for the vulnerable, and foster a culture of safety,” she added.

While many Anglicans have welcomed her appointment as a progressive step, conservative factions within the global church have voiced opposition, particularly across Africa and Asia, where resistance to female leadership remains strong.

The appointment was made by the Crown Nominations Commission, endorsed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and formally confirmed by King Charles III, Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Mullally will be officially installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury in a service at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026.

Her tenure begins at a critical moment for the Church of England, as it grapples with falling attendance, internal divisions over marriage and sexuality, and efforts to remain relevant in an increasingly secular society.