The Church of England has appointed Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, marking her as the first woman to lead the global Anglican Communion in its 1,400-year history.
The appointment of Sarah Mullally as the Archbishop of Canterbury comes nearly a year after Justin Welby’s resignation in November 2024 over allegations of mishandling child sexual abuse cases within the church.
The announcement was made in a press statement issued by the Church of England.
According to the statement, King Charles III approved the Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recommendation on September 29, hailing the selection as one of profound significance for the UK and the broader Anglican world.
In the statement, Starmer welcomed the appointment of the first woman to hold the role.
The prime minister said: “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.”
Mullally, who has served as the Bishop of London since 2018, the first woman in that position, will assume her new duties in January 2026, with a formal enthronement ceremony scheduled for March at the cathedral.
Speaking on Friday, Sarah Mullally thanked all the women who have gone before her.
Addressing Canterbury Cathedral, Dame Sarah said: “I’m told that there will be much talk today about this being a historic moment and a joyous one for many.
“I share with you in that joy, not for myself, but for a Church that listens to the calling of God and says, ‘yes, we will follow you’.
“Some will be asking what it means for a woman to lead the Church of England and to take on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s global role in the Anglican Communion.
“I intend to be a shepherd who enables everyone’s ministry and vocation to flourish, whatever the tradition.
“Today, I give thanks for all the men and women, lay and ordained deacons, priests, and bishops who have paved the way for this moment, and to all the women who have gone before me – thank you for your support and inspiration.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Sarah Mullally is the government’s former chief nursing officer for England, becoming the youngest holder of the role, having specialised as a cancer nurse.
She trained for ministry at the South East Institute of Theological Education, having studied at South Bank University, London, and Heythrop College, University of London. She is currently the Bishop of London.
She was ordained in 2001 and left her government post as chief nursing officer at the Department of Health in 2004, taking up a full-time ministry in the London borough of Sutton.
She was made a Dame in 2005 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to nursing and midwifery.
She became canon treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral in 2012, before becoming Bishop of Crediton in the diocese of Exeter in 2015.
As Bishop of London she was seen as someone who used her experience as an NHS administrator to help modernise the diocese.
