The Church of England has made history by appointing Sarah Mullally as the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury.
Her selection marks a groundbreaking moment for the church and the global Anglican community.
Mullally, 63, was officially named on Friday, October 3, 2025, as the successor to Justin Welby, who resigned earlier this year following a major abuse scandal.
Her nomination was approved by King Charles III after a lengthy selection process.
A Historic First
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual head of the Church of England and symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Mullally becomes the church’s 106th archbishop since the role was established in the late sixth century.
In a statement, the former nurse turned priest acknowledged the enormous task ahead.
“I recognise the huge responsibility of this role, but I feel a deep sense of peace and trust in God to carry me,” she said.
Mullally previously made history in 2018 as the first woman Bishop of London, a position once considered the third most senior role in the church.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the appointment, stressing the church’s vital role in British society.
“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 new Archbishop will play a key role in our national life,” Starmer said.
Her appointment also signals further progress for women in Anglican leadership, a development that only became possible in 2014 after decades of internal debate over women bishops.
Mullally replaces Justin Welby, who stepped down after a damning report revealed that the Church of England covered up widespread abuse involving John Smyth, a lawyer who ran evangelical camps in the 1970s and 1980s.
Smyth, who died in South Africa in 2018, was accused of abusing more than 100 boys and young men but never faced criminal charges.
The scandal rocked the church and prompted calls for sweeping reforms to restore trust.
The Church of England, with an estimated 20 million baptized members but fewer than one million regular worshippers, remains influential worldwide.
The Anglican Communion counts over 85 million adherents across 165 countries.
Many branches of Anglicanism, including those in the United States, have long allowed female bishops, with the first woman consecrated there in 1989.
In England today, more than 40 of the 108 bishops are women.
Mullally’s elevation signals the church’s commitment to inclusivity and reform. Her leadership will now shape the future of Anglicanism at home and across the globe.
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