On Friday, the Church of England officially announced the appointment of Bishop of London Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to be nominated for the role. The news comes as a significant milestone in the history of the Church of England, which has long been associated with male leadership in its highest positions. Mullally, who has been serving as the Bishop of London since 2018, will succeed former Archbishop Justin Welby, who resigned last November following an independent investigation into his failure to address decades of sexual abuse by a summer camp volunteer.
Mullally’s appointment has been met with widespread support from religious and political leaders in the United Kingdom, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described her as ‘a key role in our national life.’ Starmer’s office confirmed that King Charles III has approved of the nomination, expressing confidence in Mullally’s leadership. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who has been serving as Archbishop of York since 2020, praised the decision, calling Mullally ‘a person of huge courage, wisdom, integrity and experience.’ He added that he is ‘delighted’ by the move and looks forward to working alongside her.
In a statement, Mullally expressed her commitment to the Church’s mission, stating that she will focus on encouraging the Church to grow in confidence in the Gospel and to ‘speak of the love that we find in Jesus Christ and for it to shape our actions.’ She also described her nursing career, which preceded her entry into the clergy, as an ‘opportunity to reflect the love of God.’ Her journey to the priesthood began when she became a Christian at age 16, leading her to pursue nursing and eventually ordination.
Mullally’s role as the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate will continue until her formal election is confirmed at St. Paul’s Cathedral on January 28, 2026. A service of installation, or ‘enthronement,’ will take place on March 25, 2026, at Canterbury Cathedral. She will be the first woman to hold the position after 105 male predecessors in the role. Mullally’s history of breaking barriers includes becoming the youngest person ever appointed as the Government’s Chief Nursing Officer for England at age 37, and later being made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire due to her achievements in nursing.
Her selection as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury highlights the evolution of the Church of England, which has 85 million members across 165 countries. As the mother church of the Anglican Communion, the Church of England plays a central role in the global Anglican community. Mullally’s appointment also comes in the wake of a broader trend of growing church attendance in the UK, particularly among younger generations, as indicated by recent surveys. Her installation will be a significant moment for the Church of England and the broader Anglican world, as the new Archbishop of Canterbury prepares to take on the responsibilities of leading one of the world’s largest Christian denominations.