The Church of England has appointed Sarah Mullally, the bishop of London, as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to hold the post in the church’s 1,400-year history.
Mullally, 63, a former cancer nurse and England’s ex-chief nursing officer, will succeed Justin Welby, who resigned last November following a report that faulted him for failing to investigate decades-old abuse allegations at Christian summer camps.
In a statement confirming her appointment, the Church said Mullally would now serve as the spiritual leader of more than 85 million Anglicans across the globe.
Since becoming the first female bishop of London in 2018, Mullally has been a strong advocate for women’s rights within the church. Her elevation, though expected—given that two other women were on the shortlist—marks a historic moment and signals a major shift within Anglican leadership.
The decision, however, is expected to test unity within the worldwide Anglican Communion, particularly in regions that hold more conservative views.
Her appointment is seen as both a landmark for gender equality in the church and the beginning of what could be a contentious new era in Anglican history.
