Dame Sarah Mullally named 1st female spiritual head of Global Anglican Church, C of E

Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman in history to hold the Church of England’s most senior position.

The former Chief Nursing Officer for England, who was ordained in 2001, will formally assume office at a legal ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral in January 2026, followed by her enthronement service.

She succeeds Justin Welby, who resigned last year after criticism of his handling of the Church’s biggest child abuse scandal.

Accepting the role on Friday, Dame Sarah said she felt the “huge responsibility” of leading the Church but added she had a “sense of peace and trust in God” to carry her.

“At every stage of my journey, through nursing and ministry, I have learned to listen deeply — to people and to God’s gentle prompting — to bring hope and healing,” she said.

The new archbishop takes charge at a time of safeguarding crises, divisions over same-sex marriage, and falling church attendance. She has previously described the Church’s approval of same-sex blessings as “a moment of hope,” while recognising deep divisions remain.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed her appointment, calling her “a safe pair of hands” and praising the Church’s role in national life. Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, urged Anglicans worldwide to pray for her as she prepares to take up the post.

Dame Sarah, who was made a Dame in 2005 for her contribution to nursing, also sits in the House of Lords, where she has strongly opposed assisted dying legislation, warning it “fails in its central plank, that it delivers choice.”

She will now be the spiritual leader of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion, in which the Archbishop of Canterbury plays a central unifying role.