By Adesakin Adefemi
Sarah Mullally, a former nurse and midwife, has made history by becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England as Archbishop of Canterbury.
The 63-year-old was formally installed in a historic ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England, marking a new era for the 85 million-strong Anglican community worldwide.
Mullally’s enthronement ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Catherine. Dressed in deep yellow-gold robes, Mullally was greeted by local school children who asked why she had been sent to lead the church.
In response, Mullally said, “I am sent as archbishop to serve you, to proclaim the love of Christ and with you to worship and love him with heart and soul, mind and strength.”
The ceremony culminated with Mullally being seated in two different thrones, symbolizing her dual responsibilities as bishop in the diocese of Canterbury and spiritual leader of Anglicans worldwide.
Mullally’s predecessor, Justin Welby, resigned in November 2024 over failures in handling an abuse scandal. Mullally has stressed her commitment to making the church safer and responding well to victims and survivors of abuse.
As chief nursing officer for England from 1999, Mullally brought a unique perspective to her new role. Ordained a priest in 2002, she became the first female Bishop of London in 2018, paving the way for her historic appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Church of England became the country’s state establishment church following King Henry VIII’s split from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1530s. The British monarch is its supreme governor, while the Archbishop of Canterbury is seen as the spiritual leader of Anglicans worldwide.
Mullally’s appointment has been welcomed by many, but some conservative Anglicans have expressed opposition to a female archbishop. The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, Laurent Mbanda, has insisted that the “majority of the Anglican Communion still believes that the Bible requires a male-only episcopacy”.
Despite this, Mullally is determined to make a positive impact, saying the church is “seeking to become more trauma informed, listening to survivors and victims of abuse”. With over 40 of England’s 108 bishops now women, Mullally’s appointment marks a significant milestone for women in the church.
As the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, Mullally is set to lead the Anglican community worldwide, promoting unity and inclusivity in the face of challenges and controversy.
