LONDON (AP) – On Wednesday morning, Sarah Mullally entered St. Paul's Cathedral as the bishop of London, but by afternoon, amidst the chimes of bells, she emerged as the new archbishop of Canterbury. This historic event marks Mullally, aged 63, as the first woman to assume leadership of the Church of England. The worldwide Anglican Communion, which consists of 100 million members across 165 countries, traditionally acknowledges the archbishop as its spiritual leader, despite the absence of a formal head.
The commencement ceremony featured a performance by the choir singing an anthem by Edward Elgar, as Mullally took on the responsibilities of her new role. Accompanied by bewigged judges presiding over a legal confirmation ceremony, the day unfolded with excitement and applause from the congregation as she affirmed her position. “We welcome you,” echoed the bishops surrounding her.
This “Confirmation of Election” service represents a significant milestone in the history of the Church of England, which ordained its first female priests in 1994 and its first female bishop in 2015. The church, whose origins trace back to the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VIII when it separated from the Roman Catholic Church, has seen considerable evolution in its stance on women's roles.
George Gross, a theology specialist from King’s College London, emphasized the growing divide between the Church of England and the Catholic Church, which maintains that women cannot serve as priests, let alone as global spiritual leaders. He remarked, “It is a big contrast,” highlighting Mullally's appointment as a significant statement about the position of women in society.
However, Mullally’s appointment may also exacerbate existing divisions within the Anglican Communion. Divisive opinions prevail over issues such as the role of women and the treatment of LGBTQ individuals within the church. Critics argue that her leadership could deepen these issues, particularly among more conservative factions. Gafcon, a global organization of conservative Anglicans, views the appointment as contentious due to the belief held by many in the communion that only men should serve as bishops. Rwandan Archbishop Laurent Mbanda criticized Mullally’s support for same-sex marriage blessings, expressing concerns about her capability to lead effectively.
During the ceremony, a cleric noted that no legitimate opposition to her confirmation had been raised, although a heckler was removed from the cathedral shortly thereafter. Mullally took an oath of allegiance to both the British crown and the Church of England, as she prepares to step into this pivotal role.
Mullally succeeds former Archbishop Justin Welby, who resigned in November 2024 after facing criticism for not reporting allegations of abuse linked to a volunteer at a church-related summer camp. Her nomination was initiated by a 17-member commission of clerics and laypeople, later receiving confirmation from King Charles III, the supreme governor of the Church of England.
Importantly, there remains a final step in Mullally’s appointment process. She will be formally installed as bishop of the diocese of Canterbury in a ceremony scheduled for March 25, at Canterbury Cathedral, which will mark the official beginning of her public ministry.
