Dame Sarah Mullally Named as Pioneering Female Leader of the Church of England
Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the pioneering woman head of the Church of England, with Downing Street announcing the 106th archbishop of Canterbury almost twelve months following Justin Welby’s resignation following a safeguarding controversy.
This represents the inaugural instance an top bishop of Canterbury has been appointed since the Church of England allowed women to become bishops in 2014.
The top cleric is considered the spiritual leader of the Anglican church worldwide and additionally holds a seat in the House of Lords.
The archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell assumed many duties in the interim, and was among the decision-makers of the committee tasked with appointing the new leader.
The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) had to endorse the candidate by a two-thirds consensus. Once decided, according to custom, the steps entail presenting a nominee to the head of government, Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.
The new archbishop will not formally assume the role until a electoral confirmation in January, with an induction rite scheduled afterward, after they have paid homage to the king.
