History has been made in the Church of England as Dame Sarah Mullally becomes the first woman ever appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior position in the Anglican Church.

The announcement, confirmed this week, marks a significant shift for the 1,400-year-old office. Dame Sarah, a former Chief Nursing Officer for England, will officially assume her role following a legal ceremony scheduled for the coming months. 

She succeeds Justin Welby, who stepped down in 2024 after facing heavy criticism over his handling of the Church’s most serious child abuse scandal.

Taking on the title of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah is stepping into a role that carries both spiritual and national weight. 

The position is not only symbolic within the UK but also central to the Anglican Communion, a global family of churches spread across more than 165 countries.

Speaking after her appointment, Dame Sarah admitted the responsibility is enormous but said she is guided by faith:

“As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and others that has led me since my teenage years. I want to help the Church grow in confidence in the gospel and continue to share the love of Jesus Christ.”

The new Archbishop is expected to confront several challenges, including ongoing safeguarding reforms, internal divisions over same-sex marriage, and a noticeable decline in church attendance across England.

Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, welcomed her nomination and urged Christians worldwide to pray for her. He described her as a leader with wisdom and compassion, adding:

“May God grant her strength as she listens to the voices of churches around the world and fosters unity across the Communion.”

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also hailed the appointment as historic, noting that Dame Sarah’s leadership comes at a critical time for the Church’s role in national life.

“The Church of England is deeply woven into the fabric of our communities through its schools, cathedrals, and charities,” Starmer said. “I welcome Dame Sarah as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury and look forward to working with her.”

For Dame Sarah, the journey from nurse to priest to Archbishop has been shaped by service. She has often described her calling as a life of listening to people’s stories, their struggles, and to God’s quiet guidance. Now, as she prepares to take the helm, she hopes to lead a Church that remains rooted in faith while finding new ways to connect with society.