Making her mark in ecclesiastical history, Sarah Mullally has been officially confirmed as the inaugural female Archbishop of Canterbury, taking the reins of the Church of England.

Sarah Mullally was formally confirmed as the Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England in its nearly 1,400-year history. The confirmation ceremony, held at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, marked a pivotal moment for the Anglican Church and came after her historic appointment announced last October.Calling the role “an extraordinary and humbling privilege,” Mullally addressed the congregation during a service that reflected the global reach of Anglicanism. The ceremony featured hymns by the St Paul’s Cathedral choir, a South African Xhosa chant, and a bilingual reading in English and Portuguese, underscoring links with Anglican provinces in Mozambique and Angola.Mullally, 63, entered the cathedral as the Bishop of London and left as the spiritual leader traditionally regarded as the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which counts millions of followers across 165 countries.Her confirmation came after a legal ceremony overseen by senior judges, a centuries-old tradition in the Church of England. As her election was confirmed, she was greeted with prolonged applause from the congregation, with bishops proclaiming in unison, “We welcome you.”Mullally then took her oath of allegiance to the British crown and the Church of England. Her appointment was approved by a commission of clerics and lay members and formally confirmed by King Charles III, the church’s supreme governor.

First woman to lead the Church of England

Her elevation marks another milestone in the Church of England’s gradual inclusion of women, after the ordination of female priests in 1994 and female bishops in 2015. According to the experts, sthe move highlights a growing contrast with the Roman Catholic Church, which does not permit women to be ordained.Before entering the priesthood, Mullally had a distinguished career in nursing, rising to become England’s chief nursing officer and a senior leader in the National Health Service. She succeeds Justin Welby, who resigned after criticism over his handling of abuse allegations within the church.However, Mullally’s appointment has also exposed deep divisions within the Anglican Communion. Conservative groups, including the Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon), have criticised her stance on issues such as women’s leadership and the blessing of same-sex marriages, warning that her leadership could widen existing rifts.Despite objections voiced by a lone heckler during the service, church officials stated that no formal opposition had been lodged within the required timeframe.

Mullally succeeds Justin Welby

Mullally replaces former Archbishop Justin Welby, who announced his resignation in November 2024 after coming under criticism for failing to inform police about allegations of physical and sexual abuse involving a volunteer at a church-affiliated summer camp. She was nominated by a 17-member commission of clerics and lay members, with her appointment subsequently confirmed by King Charles III, the supreme governor of the Church of England.