Faith
Sarah Mullally Named Archbishop of Canterbury
Faith Facts
- Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold the role in its 1,400-year history.
- The appointment came after an extensive selection process led by the Crown Nominations Commission, following the resignation of Justin Welby.
- Mullally previously served as Bishop of London and led the Church’s Living in Love and Faith project on marriage and sexuality.
Sarah Mullally has made history as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, stepping into a role that shapes the spiritual leadership of the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion. Her journey from Chief Nursing Officer for England to ordained ministry highlights a life shaped by faith, service, and commitment to the Gospel.
Her appointment comes at a time of significant internal debate within Anglicanism, especially regarding issues of marriage and ordination. Biblical principles and unity are central concerns for many believers as she prepares to lead the Church through challenging cultural shifts.
“As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and to others that has motivated me since I first came to faith as a teenager.”
“At every stage of that journey, through my nursing career and Christian ministry, I have learned to listen deeply – to people and to God’s gentle prompting – to seek to bring people together to find hope and healing.”
“I want, very simply, to encourage the Church to continue to grow in confidence in the Gospel, to speak of the love that we find in Jesus Christ and for it to shape our actions.”
Lord Evans of Weardale, Chair of the Crown Nominations Commission, praised the discernment and dedication involved in the process, commending Mullally’s spiritual calling to this historic office.
The Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, called Mullally’s appointment “a significant moment for the Church of England, the Worldwide Anglican Communion and the Diocese of Canterbury.”
Not all in the Anglican world are unified, with some evangelical leaders calling for adherence to biblical doctrine and the historic faith handed down through generations.
Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, encouraged prayer, saying: “Let us pray that God will pour out His Spirit on the Anglican Communion to boldly share Christ’s transformational love and the hope of the Gospel in today’s world.”
Mullally will be installed at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026 and will seek to serve with humility and courage, following God’s guidance every step of the way.
Faithful believers are called to pray for unity and biblical wisdom during this new season of leadership within the Anglican Communion.