Sarah Mullally Named First Female Archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally, a former nurse and bishop of London, has been named as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. She will be the first woman to hold this prestigious position, succeeding Justin Welby who resigned last November following a report on abuse claims. Mullally, who will be 64 by the time she is formally installed next year, has vowed to repair the damage done by the scandal and to take power misuse seriously.
Mullally's appointment comes after a nearly 11-month selection process by a 17-member Crown Nominations Commission. She has been a vocal exponent of women's rights in the Church of England and has been a bishop since 2018. As the new archbishop, her first task will be to restore the church's credibility on safeguarding young people and to repair rifts on contentious issues. However, her appointment may cause tensions within the global Anglican Communion.
The Archbishop-designate plans to be an inclusive leader, enabling everyone's ministry and vocation to flourish. She succeeds Rowan Williams, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury before Justin Welby. Despite her impending mandatory retirement in six years, Mullally is committed to driving change and healing within the Church of England.
Sarah Mullally's appointment as the Archbishop of Canterbury marks a historic moment for the Church of England. Her leadership will be crucial in restoring trust and unity within the church, particularly in the wake of recent abuse scandals. With her extensive experience and commitment to inclusion, Mullally is well-positioned to guide the church through these challenging times and towards a more hopeful future.
