Sarah Mullally Named as New Archbishop of Canterbury
Dame Sarah Mullally has been selected as the new Archbishop of Canterbury designate - making history as the first woman to be picked for this important office.
A former NHS chief nurse, the sixty-three-year-old became a priest in 2006 and was named as the first female Bishop of London in 2018 - occupying the third highest position of clergy in the Church of England.
This represents the first time in nearly 500 years of tradition that the Anglican Communion has selected a woman to lead it.
Historic Selection
The Church has been lacking an individual in the leading position for approximately twelve months after Justin Welby resigned over a safeguarding scandal.
He stepped down following a critical investigation into a prolific child abuser linked to the religious institution. The investigation found that he "was able and obligated" have reported John Smyth's abuse of boys and young men to police in 2013.
The Archbishop of York took on most of the former Archbishop's responsibilities in an temporary arrangement, and was one of the voting members of the committee charged with selecting his replacement.
Official Procedure
Following established custom, the procedure of choosing a spiritual leader involves a candidate being given to the Prime Minister and then passed to the sovereign.
The Prime Minister has applauded Dame Sarah's appointment, commenting: "The Archbishop of Canterbury will serve an important function in our country's affairs. I wish her every success and look forward to working together."
While, technically, the monarch is head of the Church of England, the person occupying the position of Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the Church and the global Anglican community.
Monarchical and Global Reaction
The monarch has congratulated Dame Sarah on her appointment, "which is of such importance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion", the royal household announced.
The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, which represents conservative views, has criticised the appointment, saying that although some will welcome it, "the majority of the Anglican Communion still maintains that the Bible mandates a male-only episcopacy."
Transition Period
She will not formally assume her new role until a confirmation of election in January, and an enthronement service comes subsequently, after they have pledged allegiance to the King.
In a declaration on the announcement day after her appointment was confirmed, she commented: "I know this is a huge responsibility but I undertake it with a feeling of calm and trust in God to support me as has consistently occurred."
Addressing media at Canterbury Cathedral, she noted that "in an age that craves certainty and group identity, Anglicanism provides a more subtle approach but stronger."
Addressing Violence
Addressing the "terrible attack" of the previous day's incident on a synagogue in the northern city, she said "we observe hatred that rises up through divisions across our communities."
She added: "We then as a Church have a duty to be a group who support the Jewish community against antisemitism in every manifestation. Hatred and racism of all types cannot be permitted to divide our society."
Professional History
A mother of two, she devoted more than three decades in the National Health Service, becoming the youngest-ever chief nursing officer for England in 1999.
Although she was volunteering in the religious community at the period, it was just a few years later that she chose to enter a clergy member and was promptly assigned helping implement changes in the way the organization dealt with misconduct.
In 2012 she became financial administrator at the historic church before assuming the role of diocesan leader in the diocese of Exeter in 2015.
As Bishop of London she was regarded as someone who used her experience as an NHS administrator to help modernise the church district.
Guiding Principles
"I am often asked what it has been like to have had different professional paths, initially in the health service and now in the religious institution.
"I prefer to think that I have always had one vocation: to follow Jesus Christ, to know him and to share his message, continually striving to live with compassion in the assistance to people, whether as a nurse, a priest, or a church official."
Future Challenges
Possibly the pressing issue in her agenda is still to develop improved approaches towards dealing with misconduct and treating with more compassion those affected by it.
There has also been a decline in religious participation, though the capital has to a degree bucked that trend.
One of the areas she has been most outspoken about is end-of-life choices - she is a strong critic, as was her preceding Archbishop.
When legislation was passed in the House of Commons, she described it as "unworkable and unsafe and poses a risk to the most vulnerable people in our society."
Modern Positions
One of her roles as Bishop of London was to lead a committee trying to steer the religious institution's determination on whether to sanction gay unions.
She characterized the determination to ultimately permit priests to bless same-sex couples in 2023 as "a moment of hope for the religious community."
A former Archbishop, summarised her new role as necessitating a "newspaper in one hand and a understanding of scripture."
Dr Williams explained to media outlets "the pressure of having an position on all matters is significantly demanding."