Sarah Mullally Appointed as First Woman Archbishop of the Church of England
Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the inaugural woman leader of the Church of England, with official sources revealing the 106th archbishop of Canterbury shortly after a year since Justin Welby’s resignation over the handling of a safeguarding scandal.
This represents the inaugural instance an leader of the Anglican church has been chosen since the Church of England opened the episcopate to women in 2014.
The top cleric is considered the spiritual leader of the Anglican church globally and additionally holds a role in the Lords.
The archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell took on most of the responsibilities temporarily, and was among the decision-makers of the committee tasked with appointing Welby’s successor.
The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) had to approve the selection by a two-thirds consensus. Following approval, in line with tradition, the procedure includes submitting a name to the head of government, Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.
She will not officially begin the role until a confirmation of election in January, with an induction rite occurring subsequently, after allegiance is sworn to the sovereign.
