The Church of England has named Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, marking the first time a woman has held the 1,400-year-old office.
The 63-year-old former nurse, who has served as Bishop of London since 2018, will also lead the global Anglican Communion of 85 million members.
Her appointment, announced on Friday with the formal consent of King Charles, follows the resignation of Justin Welby in November 2024 over a child abuse cover-up scandal.
Mullally faces significant challenges in uniting a divided Anglican Communion, particularly between conservative factions, mainly in Africa, and more liberal Western members.
The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON) criticized her appointment, arguing it reflects a departure from traditional biblical interpretations favoring male-only leadership.
Mullally, who has supported liberal causes like blessings for same-sex couples, acknowledged the complexity of these issues, stating:
The Church of England and the Anglican Communion have a long history of having to wrestle with ... difficult issues.
Her leadership will require navigating these tensions in an era she described as craving “certainty and tribalism.”
In her first address at Canterbury Cathedral, Mullally condemned the recent synagogue attack in Manchester that killed two men.
She also pledged to prioritize safeguarding reforms, addressing the Church’s history of sexual abuse scandals.
“My commitment will be to ensure that we continue to listen to survivors, care for the vulnerable, and foster a culture of safety and well-being for all,” she said.
Mullally’s background as England’s Chief Nursing Officer and her experience modernizing the London diocese equip her to tackle these challenges.
Her opposition to assisted dying legislation, which she called “unworkable and unsafe,” underscores her engagement with pressing moral debates.