Dame Sarah Mullally has officially become the first woman to hold the Church of England’s most senior clerical post after being confirmed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury during a historic ceremony in London.
She legally took up the role at a service held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday. Mullally previously served as Bishop of London for nearly a decade and is also a former chief nursing officer for England. She was named as the next archbishop in October, marking a first in the Church’s history.
Although the King is formally head of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury is its most senior bishop and spiritual leader, as well as the figurehead of the global Anglican Communion, which includes around 85 million people in more than 165 countries. The Church of England itself recorded an estimated 1.02 million regular worshippers in 2024, slightly up on the previous year.
In her first remarks after taking office, Mullally described the appointment as an “extraordinary and humbling privilege” and said she would seek to lead with “calmness, consistency and compassion”. She said the Church must offer hope and hospitality in a divided world, and pledged to listen to voices that have been ignored, particularly victims and survivors of church abuse.
She said she was committed to strengthening safeguarding and ensuring the Church becomes a kind and safe place, especially for the vulnerable, while responding to challenges around justice, equity, peace and care for the environment.
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In the period between the St Paul’s service and her formal installation at Canterbury Cathedral in March, Mullally is due to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, leaders of other Christian denominations and faiths, and the King, in keeping with tradition. She will also address the Church’s General Synod in London in February.
Mullally succeeds Justin Welby, who resigned more than a year ago following criticism over safeguarding failures linked to the handling of abuse allegations against Christian camp leader John Smyth. Earlier this month, a complaint relating to Mullally’s handling of an abuse allegation during her time as Bishop of London was dismissed, though an appeal may still be possible.
Senior church figures have voiced strong support for her appointment. The Archbishop of York, who led the Church on an interim basis, praised her clarity, wisdom and grace, while the Church’s safeguarding leadership said she has shown a strong commitment to improving systems and culture across the organisation.
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