By Shanay Nijjar
On the 3rd October, Dame Sarah Mullally was named as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first ever woman to hold the Church of England’s highest clerical position. She will officially take on the role in January 2026.
At 63 years old, Dame Sarah Mullally has had a career in both healthcare and the Church. Before being ordained, she was a chief nurse for the NHS, which is the highest nursing position in the UK. She later studied theology at King’s College London, and was ordained a priest in 2001.
Over the years, Mullally has risen through the hierarchy of the Church. In 2018, she was made the 133rd Bishop of London, making her one of the most senior figures in the Church of England. She is also a member of the House of Lords. As Archbishop of Canterbury she will now have to lead the diocese of Canterbury and represent Anglicans in the UK and across the world.
Dame Sarah is known for her liberal and inclusive views, championing diversity, equality and compassion within the Church. She has expressed her commitment to combating racism and encouraging the ordination of more women. She hopes to continue the progress of the Church of England who allowed female bishops in 2014.
Her appointment was met with widespread support, with King Charles offering his congratulations. According to the BBC, he praised her role to be “of such importance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion.”
Dame Sarah Mullaly has also made headlines for condemning the attack on a synagogue in Manchester, in which two people were killed, highlighting her commitment to establishing peace amongst all faiths.
Married with two children, Mullally will have to balance family life with a deep sense of faith and duty. Her leadership marks a significant step forward for gender equality within the Church. She hopes that her position as archbishop is the start of what will be the ordination of many other female archbishops.