In a historic first for the Church of England, Sarah Mullally will be taking over as new Archbishop of Canterbury. This momentous appointment is the first time in 1,400 years that a woman will be taking on this prestigious role. At 63 years old, Mullally will be stepping into a very prominent position. In March, she will be officially installed at Canterbury Cathedral, preparing to take the spiritual helm of about 85 million Anglicans around the world.
Mullally had become the first woman to hold this historic role after spending several years as the Bishop of London. She’s been in that role since 2018. She is the Church of England’s third highest ranking bishop. Known for her fierce administrative acumen, she is a tireless advocate for the efforts to deeply modernize the national church’s operations and structures. Her ascendance to the archbishopric would not have been possible without reforms enacted by her predecessor, Justin Welby. Perhaps most notably a decade ago, he led the charge to allow women to be consecrated as bishops.
Perhaps nowhere has this been more evident than her emergence as a prominent leader at the national level during the Covid-19 pandemic. Further, she’s written boldly on modern concerns in the church, writing on things like marriage and sexuality. Mullally is in favour of letting ministers be able to marry gay couples in churches. This position reflects both her ecumenical spirit and her desire for inclusive conversation among diverse Anglicans.
GAFCON, a global Anglican fellowship, declared, “Today’s appointment leaves no doubt that Canterbury has given up any authority to lead.” This comment underscores the shockwaves Mullally’s appointment has sent throughout the church establishment.
The path to archbishop for Mullally began in the profession of nursing. Over the next decades, she worked in various hospitals throughout London and eventually became the Chief Nursing Officer for England. Her medical training and life experiences affect her approach to ministry. Over many years of nursing practice and Christian ministry, I have grown to listen more acutely to the world around us as well as to God’s quiet whisper. I have always aimed to unite all people in pursuit of healing and hope,” she shared.
While leading the church into its future, Mullally admits that the biggest challenge remains the declining attendance and financial woes that most churches face. As a pastor, she hopes to attract millennials and Gen Z, and keep the church relevant in an increasingly secular world.
“This history of neglected protection and accountability has resulted in the legacy of profound damage and distrust,” Mullally said. She was deeply dedicated to providing a platform for survivors’ voices. Her vision is to create a safe, healthy, and positive environment for all members of the church.
Jonathan Evans, an influential voice among Anglican leadership, expressed his enthusiastic backing. Bishop Steven commented, “I shall be praying for Bishop Sarah as she prepares to take up this new ministry in the coming months.” He pointed to a need and an opportunity for those who can offer true spiritual guidance and leadership needed in these changing times.
Mullally is looking ahead to her new role. Looking back over her period of discernment, she concludes, “As I answer the call of Christ to this new ministry, I take with me the same servant-spirit to God and others that inspired me as a teenager when I first came to know Christ.”
Mullally’s appointment marks a significant milestone in her personal journey. It marks another step in the Church of England’s sustained journey of change and responsiveness to the current times. She will be the 106th archbishop, an historic event since Saint Augustine landed in Kent from Rome in 597. This move represents a courageous step into a new future for church leadership.
