The Church of England announced on Friday that Sarah Mullally has been named the next Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to hold this significant position.
In a statement, Mullally articulated her response to “the call of Christ to this new ministry,” emphasizing that her dedication to serving God and others has been a guiding force since her teenage years when she first embraced faith. She reflected on her journey, stating that through her nursing career and Christian ministry, she has “learned to listen deeply – to people and to God’s gentle prompting – to seek to bring people together to find hope and healing.”
She acknowledged the immense responsibility of the role, stating her approach is marked by “a sense of peace and trust in God to carry me as He always has.”
Her appointment has garnered positive reactions from various U.K. religious and political figures.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office confirmed Friday that King Charles III had approved the nomination. Starmer commented that Mullally “will play a key role in our national life” and extended his wishes for her “every success.”
Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York since 2020, expressed his “delight” at the decision. He characterized Mullally as “a person of huge courage, wisdom, integrity and experience.”
Cottrell further stated, “It will be my great pleasure to serve alongside her and I hope that together we can continue the work of helping the Church of England be simpler, humbler and bolder in its proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ and in our service to the nation.”
Mullally, who has served as the Bishop of London since 2018, succeeds Justin Welby. Welby resigned last November following an independent inquiry that concluded he failed to act upon learning of serial physical and sexual abuse perpetrated by a volunteer at Christian summer camps.
Historically, she stands as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury, breaking a line of 105 male predecessors.
According to the church, Mullally will hold the title of Archbishop of Canterbury-designate until her election is officially confirmed at St. Paul’s Cathedral in January 2026. Her installation service is scheduled for March at Canterbury Cathedral.
The Church of England serves as the foundational church for the global Anglican Communion, which encompasses over 85 million members across 165 countries.
This is an evolving news story. Further updates will be provided.