Dame Sarah Mullally has made history as the first woman appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church of England’s highest office in its 1,400-year history.
At 63, Mullally will succeed the Most Rev Justin Welby, who stepped down last year after nearly twelve years in office. Her appointment, approved by King Charles and announced by Downing Street, marks a defining moment not just for the Church of England but for the 85 million-strong Anglican Communion worldwide.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed her appointment, saying she would play “a key role in national life” and that he looked forward to working with her.
A landmark moment for the church
It has been just over a decade since the Church first voted to allow women to become bishops, a decision that paved the way for this historic moment. When Mullally became the first female Bishop of London in 2017, she was considered an “unexpected choice.” Today, she stands at the forefront of a Church grappling with change, renewal, and a loss of trust.
Her appointment comes at a turbulent time, with hundreds of parishes in England, and many Anglican churches globally, still opposing women’s ordination.
However, standing before the press at Canterbury Cathedral following her appointment, Mullally spoke with humility and resolve, “Some will ask what it means for a woman to lead the Church of England. I intend to be a shepherd who enables everyone’s ministry and vocation to flourish, whatever our tradition. To all the women who have gone before me, thank you for your support and inspiration.”
Moreover, Mullally has not shied away from the Church’s troubled history. She has repeatedly acknowledged its “legacy of deep harm and mistrust” over safeguarding failures and pledged to build a “culture of safety and wellbeing for all.”
“This will not be easy,” she admitted. “We must all be willing to have light shone on our actions.”
Her commitment to transparency and reform echoes the challenges she inherits from her predecessor, whose tenure was overshadowed by allegations of institutional failures in addressing abuse within the Church.
Faith, ethics and leadership
Speaking to The Times, Mullally said she would not hesitate to “challenge unjust structures” in government and society, describing her role as one that must “speak truth to power.”
Asked whether Britain could still be described as a Christian country, she replied firmly, “The Christian faith still absolutely runs through this country as a clear thread.” She has also been an outspoken advocate on issues of race and equality.
Mullally has long been a consistent voice against assisted dying legislation in England and Wales, arguing that society must “protect life in all its forms.”
Her approach to leadership is often described as thoughtful and bridge-building; firm on ethical principles yet willing to listen across divides. As she prepares to take up her role, she faces the challenge of leading a Church divided on questions of inclusion, sexuality, and safeguarding.
Her enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral, scheduled for March 2026, will symbolise both continuity and change, the beginning of what many see as a new era for the Anglican Church.
From nursing to the nation’s pulpit
Before her ordination, Mullally built a distinguished career in healthcare. Beginning as a cancer nurse, she rose through the ranks to become England’s Chief Nursing Officer from 1999 to 2004, the highest position in British nursing.
Educated in Woking, Surrey, she trained as a nurse at South Bank Polytechnic and later studied theology at the University of Kent. A devout Christian since the age of 16, she entered the clergy in her late thirties and was ordained in 2002.
Known for her calm demeanour and pastoral warmth, she describes her love of pottery as something that “teaches patience and humility.” She is married to Eamonn, a business technology professional, and they have two children.
A global impact, especially in Asia
Mullally’s appointment carries special resonance across Asia, home to some of the most dynamic Anglican communities in the world.
Way before the west, the Church of South India began ordaining women to the priesthood as early as 1960, and in 2013, Eggoni Pushpalalitha became India’s first female bishop in Andhra Pradesh. The Church of North India followed suit in 2024 with the consecration of Violet Nayak as its first woman bishop, recently joined by two more female leaders.
The Church of Pakistan, while ordaining women as deacons since 2001, has yet to open the priesthood to them. The Church of Bangladesh, meanwhile, resumed ordaining women to the diaconate in 2021 and celebrated its first female priestly ordinations two years later.
For these communities, stretching from India and Pakistan to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Mullally’s elevation represents more than symbolism. It is a reaffirmation of inclusion, equality, and shared faith across continents.
As she prepares to take office, Dame Sarah Mullally faces the immense task of healing old wounds while shaping the Church’s moral voice for the future.
