Sarah Mullally has made history as the first woman to be appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, taking charge as the spiritual leader of nearly 85 million Anglicans worldwide. At 63, she steps into a role
that dates back more than 1,400 years- one long held exclusively by men.
A Nurse Turned Church Leader
Before her ordination in 2001, Sarah Mullally trained and worked as a nurse in London. She rose through the ranks of the NHS to become Chief Nursing Officer for England, the most senior nursing role in the country, before choosing full-time ministry. Her career shift has shaped her reputation for combining compassion with administrative skill.
Consecrated in 2018 as Bishop of London- the Church of England’s third-highest office- Sarah Mullally became a central figure in the institution. She oversaw the church’s Covid-19 response, pushed for modern reforms in governance and has been widely praised as a strong as well as pragmatic administrator.
Progressive Voice
Sarah Mullally has also been at the forefront of debates on marriage and sexuality, supporting blessings for same-sex couples in church. Seen as a consensus-builder, she is known for listening deeply and working to bridge divides within the Anglican Communion.
Why Her Appointment Matters?
Her elevation was made possible by reforms under Justin Welby, her predecessor, who opened the episcopacy to women in 2014. Sarah Mullally’s appointment is seen as a historic break with centuries of tradition and a step toward greater representation in church leadership. As Archbishop, she inherits a church facing declining attendance, financial strain and lingering fallout from abuse scandals. She will be tasked with restoring trust, engaging younger generations and reasserting the church’s role in public life.
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