Sarah Mullally, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, is often described as a liberal or progressive Anglican. She preaches on the need for Christianity to be “radically inclusive”, champions a socially progressive faith, and has been the public face of the Church of England’s controversial Living in Love and Faith project to offer church blessings to same-sex couples. 

Mullally’s appointment to the top job in the Anglican Communion has infuriated conservative archbishops worldwide, some of whom plan to boycott her installation at Canterbury Cathedral later this month. She has also been a thorn in the side of conservative politicians for her frequent interventions on immigration and diversity. One magazine recently accused her of being part of the hectoring “lanyard class” among the metropolitan elite, guilty of “vacuous milquetoast progressivism” and “anaemic liberal views”.

But one of the most surprising aspects of Mullally’s life story is her remarkably conservative Christian origins. She talks very little about her early decades, but they were steeped in evangelical culture and theology, from youth to middle age. Conservatism runs deeply in Mullally’s formation and continues to shape her attitudes.

Sarah Bowser, as she was known until her marriage, was raised in suburban Surrey, on a housing estate in Woking. Her local parish church, St John’s, was part of the “Bible Belt” of evangelical congregations across the southeast. It was one of the largest in Guildford diocese, with more than 850 members, overflowing Sunday schools, a flourishing youth ministry and 40 mid-week Bible study groups.

Bowser’s parents (an electrical engineer and a hairstylist) seldom attended church, but she was encouraged along by her grandparents. It was here, at the age of 16, she experienced Christian conversion, praying a personal prayer of commitment to Jesus Christ when challenged by one of her friends to make a clear decision about faith. Bowser and 60 other young people from her church were confirmed by the Bishop ….. Read it all in The Sunday Times