Historic Milestone: Dame Sarah Mullally Named First Female Archbishop of Canterbury Amid Mixed Reactions
In a groundbreaking development for the Church of England, Dame Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, has been appointed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the church’s nearly 1,500-year history. The announcement, approved by King Charles III in his role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, comes nearly a year after Justin Welby’s resignation amid criticism over his handling of a major safeguarding scandal involving child abuse. Mullally, 63, will assume the role following a legal ceremony in the coming months, with her formal installation at Canterbury Cathedral scheduled for January 2026.
A former chief nursing officer for England and a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) for her contributions to nursing and midwifery, Mullally brings a unique blend of public sector leadership and pastoral experience to the role. Ordained in 2001, she transitioned to full-time ministry in 2004 and has served as Bishop of London since 2018. Known for her progressive stance on social issues, she has described the Church’s 2023 decision to approve blessings for same-sex couples as a “moment of hope,” despite ongoing divisions within the Anglican Communion. She has also voiced opposition to assisted dying legislation and co-signed letters criticizing the previous government’s Rwanda policy on illegal migration. In her first public engagement as archbishop-designate, Mullally assisted in packing food parcels at a local church, emphasizing compassion amid “profound global uncertainty.”
The appointment has elicited a spectrum of responses across the Anglican world, reflecting deep-seated theological and cultural divides. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the news, highlighting the Church’s role in national life and expressing eagerness to collaborate. Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, also extended congratulations, calling for prayers and support from the global fellowship. Locally, institutions like Norwich Cathedral and the Dean of Jersey celebrated the milestone, viewing it as a step forward for inclusivity.
However, conservative voices within the Anglican Communion have expressed significant reservations. The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a coalition of conservative provinces primarily from Africa and Asia, issued a strongly worded response objecting to the appointment. In a letter circulated to its members, GAFCON leaders conveyed “sorrow” at the decision, arguing that it “abandons global Anglicans” by selecting a leader whose views on human sexuality and other issues diverge from traditional biblical teachings. GAFCON, which represents a significant portion of the 85 million Anglicans worldwide, has long criticized the Church of England for its progressive shifts, including the ordination of women bishops and accommodations for same-sex relationships. This reaction underscores the ongoing schism, with GAFCON provinces increasingly distancing themselves from Canterbury’s authority.
Closer to home, the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), a key network of evangelical Anglicans, responded with a mix of prayerful hope and caution. In a statement, CEEC expressed prayers that Mullally would “restore the Church of England to its historic position on marriage and sexuality,” emphasizing a return to “biblical faithfulness.” Evangelicals Now, a publication aligned with conservative perspectives, echoed this sentiment, noting mixed feelings: while some viewed the appointment as better than alternatives, others lamented it as insufficiently aligned with traditional doctrine. Critics like Fr Calvin Robinson and commentator Lois McLatchie Miller highlighted concerns over Mullally’s positions on abortion, migration, and LGBTQ+ issues, with some pointing to her silence on protecting children from certain ideological influences as a red flag.
Broader reactions from Anglican leaders and commentators reveal a church at a crossroads. The Bishop of Newcastle, Dr. Helen-Ann Hartley, who previously called for Welby’s resignation over safeguarding failures, has not yet commented specifically, but her past statements on institutional dysfunction may signal ongoing tensions. Conservative commentators, including Joanna Williams, criticized the selection as perpetuating “woke bureaucracy,” arguing the Church has learned little from recent scandals. On social media, responses ranged from celebratory posts by progressive voices to dire warnings from traditionalists, with some labeling the move a “death spiral” for the Church of England.
As Mullally steps into this pivotal role, she inherits a Church grappling with declining attendance, safeguarding controversies, and fractures over sexuality and doctrine. Her leadership will be tested in navigating these divides while maintaining unity across the global Anglican Communion. For many, this appointment represents progress; for others, it signals further estrangement from historic orthodoxy. The coming months will reveal how Mullally addresses these challenges, potentially reshaping the future of Anglicanism.