Dame Sarah Mullally Appointed as First Woman Leader of the Church of England
The Church of England has selected Sarah Mullally as the first female leader of the Church of England, with the government confirming the 106th archbishop of Canterbury nearly a year after the departure of Justin Welby following a safeguarding controversy.
This represents the inaugural instance an top bishop of Canterbury has been chosen since the Church of England opened the episcopate to women in 2014.
The archbishop is regarded as the faith guide of the Anglican church worldwide and also possesses a seat in the House of Lords.
The Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York assumed many duties temporarily, and was a participating elector of the body charged with choosing Welby’s successor.
The appointments commission had to agree to the new appointment by a two-thirds majority vote. Following approval, in line with tradition, the procedure includes submitting a name to the prime minister – in this case Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.
She will not officially begin the role until a electoral confirmation in January, with an enthronement service occurring subsequently, after homage is rendered to the monarch.