Sarah Mullally Becomes First Female Archbishop of Canterbury

On Wednesday, Sarah Mullally was enthroned as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, marking a historic moment for the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion, which has 85 million members. The 63-year-old former midwife and nurse was welcomed at Canterbury Cathedral, where approximately 2,000 guests, including Prince William and Catherine, attended the ceremony.

Mullally, who wore a ceremonial gold robe, knocked three times on the cathedral's west door to request entry. In her remarks, she affirmed her commitment to serving and leading the church.

The ceremony concluded with Mullally being seated on two symbolic thrones, representing her dual role as Bishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican community. She succeeds Justin Welby, who resigned in November 2024 amid criticism over the church's handling of historical abuse allegations.

Mullally has pledged to prioritize safety within the church and improve protections for victims and survivors of abuse. She has a long history in the National Health Service, serving as England's Chief Nursing Officer in 1999 and was ordained as a priest in 2002.