Historic Appointment: Dame Sarah Mullally to Become First Female Archbishop of Canterbury

A Groundbreaking Moment for the Church of England

The Church of England has entered a new era with Dame Sarah Mullally becoming the first woman to hold the role in its 1,400-year history and the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide. King Charles III has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally D.B.E. for election as Archbishop of Canterbury, marking a watershed moment for the global Anglican Communion.

The Path to Installation

Dame Sarah Mullally made history in October when she became the first woman named to take the leading role, and was formally elected as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury in a traditional ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral in November. She will be legally made Archbishop of Canterbury in January, with her enthronement taking place at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25.

From Nursing to Spiritual Leadership

Mullally, 63, was made Bishop of London in 2018 – the Church of England’s third most senior bishop after the archbishops of Canterbury and York. Before her ordination, Mullally worked as a nurse at hospitals in London, going on to serve as Chief Nursing Officer for England. Her unique background brings a perspective shaped by decades of service to others.

Contemporary Challenges Ahead

In her Christmas Day sermon, Dame Sarah Mullally warned that “our national conversations about immigration continue to divide us, when our common humanity should unite us”. She inherits significant challenges, including leading efforts to address declining church attendance, including reaching younger people, and to confront financial challenges. The 105th archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, formally resigned in early January having announced his intention to stand down two months earlier over failures in handling a safeguarding scandal.

Significance for the Future

Dame Mullally’s appointment represents not only a historic milestone for gender equality in religious leadership but also a critical opportunity for renewal within the Church of England. Her commitment to safeguarding, combined with her administrative experience and pastoral care background, positions her to navigate the complex challenges facing the modern Anglican Communion. As she prepares to assume full duties in January 2026, her leadership will be closely watched by millions of Anglicans worldwide and those seeking meaningful change within traditional religious institutions.