‘Hatred and Racism Cannot Tear Us Apart,’ First Woman Archbishop of Canterbury Says
CANTERBURY, England – Sarah Mullally, 63, has affirmed her commitment to unity in the face of division as she prepares to become the first woman to hold the office of Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England’s nearly 500-year history. the appointment marks a pivotal moment for the Church, signaling a potential shift towards greater inclusivity and modernization.
Mullally’s journey to the highest ecclesiastical office is unique, having previously forged a distinguished career in healthcare. Before her ordination as a priest in 2006, she dedicated over 35 years to the National Health Service (NHS), becoming the youngest-ever Chief Nursing Officer for England in 1999. This background, she has stated, informs her approach to leadership and reform within the Church.
The incoming Archbishop has been vocal on key social issues, firmly opposing assisted dying, a position shared by her predecessor.she also welcomed the 2023 decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, describing it as “a moment of hope for the Church.” Mullally has consistently emphasized a single guiding principle throughout her dual career path: “I prefer to think that I have always had one vocation: to follow Jesus Christ.”
Prior to her appointment as Archbishop,Mullally served as canon treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral in 2012 and Bishop of Crediton in the diocese of Exeter from 2015. As Bishop of London, she was recognized for leveraging her administrative experience to modernize the diocese.
Her leadership comes at a time of meaningful challenge for the Church of England, grappling with declining attendance and internal debates over social issues.Mullally’s focus on unity and her experience navigating complex systems within the NHS position her as a leader prepared to address these challenges and guide the Church forward.
