CANTERBURY, England – The Church of England on Friday named Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to hold the 1,400-year-old office. The 63-year-old bishop, a former nurse, will succeed Justin Welby, who resigned amid controversy over his handling of a child abuse cover-up.
Mullally, currently Bishop of London, will assume leadership of the Anglican Communion, representing about 85 million members worldwide. Her appointment highlights deep divisions within the church, particularly over the role of women in leadership and the blessing of same-sex couples.
Laurent Mbanda, archbishop of Rwanda and chairman of a global grouping of conservative Anglican churches, told Reuters the appointment made it impossible for the Archbishop of Canterbury “to serve as a focus of unity within the Communion.”
Mullally has previously supported blessings for same-sex couples, a stance that has fueled disputes within the Anglican Communion, especially in Africa and Asia, where homosexuality is criminalised. Addressing clergy and laity in Canterbury Cathedral, she said she aimed “to help every ministry to flourish, whatever our tradition.”
She also pledged to confront the misuse of power after sexual abuse scandals, vowing improvements in safeguarding. “My commitment will be to ensure that we continue to listen to (abuse) survivors, care for the vulnerable and foster a culture of safety and well-being for all,” she said.
Mullally condemned rising antisemitism in Britain following a synagogue attack in Manchester on Thursday that left two men dead. “Mindful of the horrific violence of yesterday’s attack on a synagogue in Manchester, we are witnessing hatred that rises up through fractures across our communities,” she said, adding that her Christian faith gave her hope in a world often “on the brink.”
In an interview with Reuters, she acknowledged that debates over same-sex relationships will remain unresolved for the foreseeable future. “It may not be resolved quickly,” she said.
Mullally has also voiced strong opposition to proposed assisted dying legislation in Britain’s parliament, calling it “unworkable and unsafe” and warning it poses risks to the most vulnerable.
Before entering church leadership, Mullally worked as a cancer nurse and rose to become England’s Chief Nursing Officer in the early 2000s. She was ordained as a priest in 2002 and became one of the first women consecrated as a bishop in 2015.
“There are great commonalities between nursing and being a priest. It’s all about people, and sitting with people during the most difficult times in their lives,” she once said.
Linda Woodhead, professor of theology and religious studies at King’s College London, said Mullally’s appointment was well-suited to the Church’s challenges. “Her emphasis on unity, gentleness and strength is exactly what the Church, and nation, needs right now,” she noted.
Mullally is married to Eamonn and has two adult children. Her appointment was formally announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office with the consent of King Charles, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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