In a landmark moment for the Church of England, Dame Sarah Mullally is set to become the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, bringing her distinguished background as former chief nursing officer and Bishop of London to the role. The groundbreaking appointment will see Dame Sarah legally assume her duties during a confirmation service at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Wednesday, ahead of her formal enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral in March.
A Historic Transition
Dame Sarah Mullally, poised to become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, has expressed her commitment to leading with "calmness, consistency and compassion" as she prepares for this historic confirmation. Her elevation marks a significant milestone for the Church of England, following nearly a decade as Bishop of London and a distinguished career in healthcare leadership.
She was officially named in October as the first woman to be selected for the Church's highest clerical position, which serves as the spiritual leader of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. While technically the King remains head of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury holds the most senior bishopric and plays a crucial role in guiding the faith community.
Worshipper Numbers and Global Reach
Recent figures indicate there were an estimated 1.02 million regular worshippers across the Church in 2024, showing a slight increase from 1.01 million in 2023. Meanwhile, the Anglican Communion continues to represent approximately 85 million people across more than 165 countries worldwide, highlighting the global significance of this leadership transition.
Vision for Leadership
Dame Sarah has articulated a clear vision for her tenure, stating: "It is an extraordinary and humbling privilege to have been called to be the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. In this country and around the world, Anglican churches bring healing and hope to their communities. With God's help, I will seek to guide Christ's flock with calmness, consistency and compassion."
She addressed contemporary challenges directly, noting: "These are times of division and uncertainty for our fractured world. I pray that we will offer space to break bread together and discover what we have in common – and I pledge myself to this ministry of hospitality."
Commitment to Safeguarding and Inclusion
The incoming Archbishop has placed particular emphasis on addressing past failures, stating: "I want us to be a Church that always listens to the voices of those who have been ignored or overlooked, among them victims and survivors of church abuse who have often been let down."
She continued: "I am committed to equipping the Church to be a kind and safe place that cares for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable, as we rise to the challenge of God's call to justice, equity, peace and the care of creation."
Transition Period and Engagements
Between the St Paul's service and her installation at Canterbury Cathedral, Dame Sarah will undertake several significant engagements. She is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the leaders of other Christian denominations and faiths in the UK. She will also meet with King Charles to pay traditional homage to the monarch.
On Sunday, she was photographed speaking with Charles after delivering a sermon at a service on his Sandringham Estate. While she will not preach at Wednesday's service nor before her installation in March, she will appear at General Synod – the Church's parliament – in February in London where she will deliver the presidential address.
Addressing Past Challenges
Dame Sarah replaces Justin Welby in the Church's top ministry role after he resigned more than a year ago over safeguarding failures in the handling of the notorious case involving prolific abuser and Christian camp leader John Smyth. Upon being named last year, Dame Sarah promised to tackle safeguarding failures in the Church, acknowledging that the "dynamics of power" must be confronted.
Earlier this month, a complaint against Dame Sarah regarding her handling of an abuse allegation by a man known as survivor N against a priest in the Diocese of London was dismissed, though it is understood the complainant might appeal against the decision.
Support and Recognition
The Church's lead bishop for safeguarding, Joanne Grenfell, has described Dame Sarah as having "full commitment to safeguarding – strengthening systems and processes, and improving the culture across a large, complex organisation." Ms Grenfell added that while "scrutiny is right", Dame Sarah must also be given "room to lead as we work to grow a safer Church that serves communities across England."
Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, who has been leading the Church in the interim between Mr Welby's resignation and Dame Sarah's official start, paid tribute to her qualities: "Her clarity of thinking, wisdom, grace and holiness is what the Church needs right now."
This historic appointment represents not just a personal achievement for Dame Sarah Mullally, but a significant evolution in the leadership of one of Britain's most established institutions, as the Church of England embraces new perspectives at its highest levels.
