In a landmark decision, Sarah Mullally has been named the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England and the spiritual head of the global Anglican Communion, which counts more than 85 million followers worldwide.

At 63, Mullally already holds a distinguished record as Bishop of London since 2018—the Church’s third-highest post—and previously served as Chief Nursing Officer for England following a career in London hospitals. Her appointment breaks a 1,400-year tradition of male leadership in the role, established with St. Augustine in 597 AD.

“As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service that has shaped my journey—from nursing wards to church leadership,” Mullally said in a statement. “I have learned to listen deeply—to people and to God—and to bring people together in hope and healing.”

Mullally has been a central figure in several of the Church’s most contentious debates, particularly on marriage and sexuality. She led the Church’s process of discernment on same-sex blessings, supporting the move to allow ministers to bless LGBTQ+ couples—a historic shift for the denomination.

She also played a key leadership role during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the Church’s community response remained active and compassionate in a time of national crisis.

Her elevation to the top post follows reforms championed by her predecessor, Archbishop Justin Welby, who pushed for gender equality in Church leadership. Those efforts culminated in 2014, when the Church first allowed women to become bishops.

Mullally succeeds Welby, who resigned in November 2024 amid fierce criticism over his handling of the John Smyth abuse scandal. An independent investigation found that Church leadership—including Welby—was aware of Smyth’s abuse by 2013, the same year Welby became archbishop. His resignation was described by historians as “without precedent” in the Church’s long history.

The vacancy at the helm was filled by the Crown Nominations Commission, chaired by former MI5 director Jonathan Evans. The 17-member group’s selection was approved by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and formally confirmed by King Charles III.

In an earlier statement, Evans had signaled a desire for a break from tradition:

“We didn’t want a shortlist of candidates who were all white, male, Oxbridge-educated, and from the Southeast. We needed someone with true spiritual leadership who could speak into the soul of the nation.”

Mullally now faces the monumental challenge of restoring public trust in the Church, while also revitalizing its relevance in a society that has grown increasingly secular. With church attendance falling and younger generations disengaging, she is expected to lead a modernisation effort across both theology and practice.

Her installation ceremony will take place in March 2026 at Canterbury Cathedral, where she will become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.

As the most senior bishop in the Anglican Communion, her duties will include presiding over royal occasions, including coronations, and serving as a moral and spiritual voice on national and global issues.

Religious leaders and public figures have hailed the appointment as a “historic turning point” for the Church of England. For many, Sarah Mullally represents not just a new face, but a new era of compassion, courage, and inclusivity at the heart of the Church.