Historic Appointment Confirmed at St Paul's Cathedral
Dame Sarah Mullally has been legally confirmed as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to hold the Church of England's most senior bishopric. The confirmation ceremony took place at St Paul's Cathedral, where she was formally recognised as the 106th person to assume this prestigious role. This appointment, initially announced in October, represents a significant shift in the centuries-old traditions of the Anglican Church.
Ceremony Interrupted by Protester
The proceedings were briefly disrupted by a heckler, reportedly dressed in religious attire, who was swiftly escorted from the cathedral. Although the exact nature of their protest remains unclear, the incident highlighted the contentious nature of this groundbreaking appointment. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell emphasised that lawful objections had been fully considered, with none received, allowing the confirmation process to proceed uninterrupted.
Global Anglican Divisions Surface
While many within the Church of England have welcomed Dame Sarah's appointment as a progressive step forward, significant opposition has emerged from conservative factions of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Archbishop Henry Ndukuba of the Church of Nigeria described the appointment as "devastating," criticising it as insensitive to Anglicans who reject female leadership in the episcopate.
Similarly, Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda, who chairs the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, published a statement asserting that the majority of the Anglican Communion maintains a male-only episcopacy based on biblical interpretation. He argued that this makes it "impossible for the Archbishop of Canterbury to serve as a focus of unity within the Communion," highlighting deep theological divisions.
Personal Experiences of Misogyny
In her first interview as Archbishop, Dame Sarah expressed gratitude for the broad support she has received, including from male colleagues throughout her ministry. However, she candidly acknowledged experiencing misogyny both in her previous role as England's chief nursing officer and within the Church itself. "It is fair to say that I have, both in my secular role as well as in the Church, experienced misogyny at times," she revealed.
Reflecting on her journey, Dame Sarah emphasised the importance of speaking openly about such discrimination to "bring it out into the open." Her voice reportedly cracked with emotion during last year's General Synod address as she described the "institutional barriers" and "micro-aggressions" that women continue to face within ecclesiastical structures.
Commitment to Addressing Discrimination
When questioned about misogyny within the Church, the new Archbishop stated: "I'm conscious that being in this role, it's important for me to speak of it, because there are some that don't necessarily have the status or the power of this role, and feel more hesitant to do it." She committed to fostering an environment where all individuals can flourish safely, acknowledging the Church of England's evolving nature while pledging to drive further positive change.
Dame Sarah, who served as Bishop of London for nearly a decade, recognised that some may struggle with her appointment as a woman. She aims to create spaces for dialogue, offering hospitality to those with differing views while seeking partnership despite theological disagreements.
Navigating Controversial Social Issues
The Archbishop has previously expressed support for same-sex blessings within the Church, though she appeared cautious about endorsing standalone services for same-sex couples in her new role. With the Church deeply divided on this issue, she stated: "As the Archbishop of Canterbury, I see my role at the moment is to listen to what Synod has to say about that and to continue to hold that space within the Church of England where there are a range of different views on this issue."
Safeguarding Scrutiny and Commitments
Dame Sarah faces ongoing scrutiny regarding her handling of abuse allegations, particularly concerning a complaint about her management of an abuse allegation in the Diocese of London. Although this complaint was recently dismissed, the possibility of an appeal remains. Her predecessor, Justin Welby, resigned over safeguarding failures related to the John Smyth abuse case.
The new Archbishop acknowledged the increased scrutiny accompanying her position, stating: "All of us should be open to having the light shone on what we do, and coming in as the Archbishop of Canterbury I recognise, rightly so, that there is greater scrutiny on me and the actions that I have undertaken." She reaffirmed her commitment to safeguarding, emphasising the importance of listening to victims and survivors while advocating for independent oversight and improvements to clergy discipline measures.
Ceremonial Traditions and Future Responsibilities
Following the confirmation service, stonemasons began carving Dame Sarah's name onto the historic plaque at Canterbury Cathedral, joining the lineage dating back to St Augustine in 597. Although she did not preach during Wednesday's ceremony, her first official act was taking up the Primatial Cross and delivering a blessing. A more elaborate installation service is scheduled for March at Canterbury Cathedral, after which she will begin preaching regularly in her new capacity.
The Church of England reported approximately 1.02 million regular worshippers in 2024, showing a slight increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the worldwide Anglican Communion encompasses an estimated 85 million followers across more than 165 countries, presenting both an opportunity and challenge for the new Archbishop as she navigates her role as spiritual leader to this diverse global community.
