Sarah Mullally Breaks 1,400-Year Barrier as First Female Archbishop of Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally has been formally confirmed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, making history as the first woman to occupy the most Senior leadership position in the Church of England since its establishment over 14 centuries ago.

The confirmation took place on January 28, 2026, during the traditional Confirmation of Election ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, where legal and ecclesiastical authorities validated her appointment following her nomination last year.

Mullally, who succeeds Justin Welby, becomes the spiritual figurehead of the global Anglican Communion, a fellowship representing an estimated 85 million worshippers across more than 165 countries.

While the Archbishop of Canterbury is not the supreme authority of the Communion, the office carries immense moral and symbolic influence worldwide.

Before her clerical rise, Mullally built a distinguished career in public service as a cancer nurse and later served as Chief Nursing Officer for England. She was appointed Bishop of London in 2018, a role that positioned her prominently within church leadership circles.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mullally described her confirmation as a “humbling and profound responsibility,” pledging to lead with compassion, stability and faith at a time of global uncertainty and internal challenges facing the Church.

The service featured hymns and readings reflecting the diversity of the Anglican community, underscoring the global nature of her new role. Her official enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral is scheduled for March 25, 2026, when she will formally assume her diocesan duties.

While her appointment has been widely celebrated as a milestone for gender inclusion within Christianity, it has also drawn criticism from conservative factions within the Anglican Church who oppose the ordination of women and other recent reforms.