In a historic first for the Church of England, Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to lead the Anglican Communion worldwide.
King Charles III congratulated Dame Sarah Mullally on her new role.
A palace spokesperson stated that the King approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation on September 29.
“His Majesty congratulates Bishop Sarah on her appointment as archbishop-designate, a role which is of such importance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion,” the spokesperson stated.
The appointment followed a thorough process conducted by the Crown Nominations Commission for Canterbury, which began in February 2025 with public consultation and prayerful discernment.
Sarah Mullally’s First Speech
Reflecting on her appointment, Mullally said, “As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and to others that has motivated me since I first came to faith as a teenager.”
“At every stage of that journey, through my nursing career and Christian ministry, I have learned to listen deeply – to people and to God’s gentle prompting – to seek to bring people together to find hope and healing.”
Mullally takes over from Archbishop Justin Welby, who resigned almost a year ago following a child abuse cover-up scandal.
She will preside over an institution seeking to remain relevant in an increasingly secular nation, bridge divides between conservative and liberal factions, and rebuild trust within the Church.
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Education And Nursing Career
Sarah Mullally, born in Woking in 1962, is the first woman to be appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury.
She trained as a nurse, specializing in cancer care, and became England’s youngest Chief Nursing Officer at 37, earning a damehood in 2005 for her contributions to nursing and midwifery.
She trained for ordained ministry from 1998 to 2001, studying theology at the University of Kent, and left her nursing role in 2004 to serve as an assistant curate in Battersea, south London.
She later served as team rector at St Nicholas Church, Sutton, London, and as canon treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral.
In 2018, she became Bishop of London, the Church of England’s third most senior bishop, and a member of the House of Lords.
Mullally is known for her principled stances on social issues. She opposed the UK government’s Rwanda migration policy, voiced concerns over assisted dying legislation, and supports the Church’s teaching on marriage as between one man and one woman.
She is known for stressing that “nobody is outside the love of God.”
On abortion, she describes her stance as broadly pro-choice, though she would personally lean towards pro-life decisions.
Family Life And Achievements
Bishop Sarah is married to Eamonn, an Irish-born IT and Enterprise Architect with a passion for beekeeping and volunteering as a London tourist guide. Together, they have two adult children, Liam and Grace.
She has maintained her connection to the healthcare sector, serving as a non-executive director at both the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Hospital.
Bishop Sarah also chairs Christian Aid and has spoken candidly about living with dyslexia, sharing the challenges it presents with reading and writing. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, walking, and practicing pottery.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop in the Church of England.
The role combines several positions: Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury, Primate of All England, and primus inter pares (“first among equals”) of the Primates of the global Anglican Communion.
Additionally, the Archbishop sits in the House of Lords as one of 26 bishops who comprise the Lords Spiritual.
Church leaders have welcomed the appointment, highlighting Mullally’s experience, wisdom, and dedication.
Sarah Mullally’s ascension marks a historic milestone for the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion, symbolising both progress and continuity in the leadership of one of the world’s largest Christian denominations.
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