Dame Sarah Mullally has been announced as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the history of the Church of England.
The former Chief Nursing Officer for England is now Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, pending a legal ceremony in the coming months that will confirm her as the Church’s top bishop. She succeeds Justin Welby, who stepped down last year following criticism over his handling of the Church’s worst child abuse scandal.
Dame Sarah steps into the role at a critical time, as the Church grapples with safeguarding issues, divisions over same-sex marriage, and declining attendance.
Acknowledging the weight of her new responsibility, she said she feels a sense of “peace and trust in God to carry me.”
“As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and to others that has motivated me since I first came to faith as a teenager,” she said.
She added: “At every stage of that journey, through my nursing career and Christian ministry, I have learned to listen deeply – to people and to God’s gentle prompting – to seek to bring people together to find hope and healing.
“I want, very simply, to encourage the Church to continue to grow in confidence in the gospel, to speak of the love that we find in Jesus Christ, and for it to shape our actions.
“And I look forward to sharing this journey of faith with the millions of people serving God and their communities in parishes all over the country and across the global Anglican Communion.
“I know this is a huge responsibility but I approach it with a sense of peace and trust in God to carry me as He always has.”
Dame Sarah is the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, with the position vacant since November.
Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, welcomed her nomination: “May God grant her wisdom and discernment, as she seeks to listen to Member churches, encourage mutual support, and foster unity. The Anglican Communion Office is fully committed to supporting her ministry as she works with other Provinces and the Instruments of the Anglican Communion.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also praised her appointment, saying: “I welcome the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to hold the role. 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. The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and look forward to working together.”