By Sheila McKenzie-
Dame Sarah Mullally, the 133rd Bishop of London, and a distinguished former national health professional, has been officially named the next Archbishop of Canterbury in a truly momentous and historic appointment.
Dame Sarah during a visit to All Saints Church in Canterbury, Kent. Pic: PA
Her elevation marks the First woman Archbishop of Canterbury chosen to serve as the spiritual leader of the Church of England and the broader Anglican Communion.
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This decision comes nearly a year after the resignation of Justin Welby, who stepped down in the aftermath of a deeply damaging independent review into the Church’s chronic failure to handle cases of sexual abuse.
Justin Welby resigned as the archbishop of Canterbury in November 2024. Pic: AP
Addressing the public from Canterbury Cathedral on Friday, the Archbishop-designate made clear that confronting the legacy of institutional betrayal and power misuse will be the defining priority of her tenure.
She delivered a powerful and unreserved pledge to foster a fundamental cultural shift within the institution, directly committing to a robust overhaul of the Church’s safeguarding protocols.
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Dame Sarah acknowledged the profound failures of the past, stating candidly, “As a Church, we have too often failed to recognise or take seriously the misuse of power in all of its forms.”
Furthermore, she promised decisive action to restore public trust. “My commitment will be to ensure that we continue to listen to survivors, care for the vulnerable, and foster a culture of safety and wellbeing for all,” she promised.
This firm declaration signals a new era where all church officials must be willing to have “light shone on our actions,” regardless of their position or seniority.
The appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally, who previously served as the UK’s Chief Nursing Officer from 1999 to 2004 and was later honoured with a Damehood for her service, brings a unique blend of high-level public service experience and deep faith leadership to the role.
The Archbishop of Canterbury-designate helps out at a food bank. Pic: PA
Dame Sarah helps out at a food bank in All Saints Church in Canterbury. Pic: PA
The First woman Archbishop of Canterbury will officially take on the leadership mantle in January, inheriting a church grappling not only with its historical abuse scandals but also with complex moral and political questions facing the modern nation.
Dame Sarah speaks with a parishioner during a visit to All Saints Church in Canterbury. Pic: PA
She reflected on these broader societal issues during her speech, citing the legal right to die, the deep-rooted question of national identity, and the complex response to the ongoing migration crisis as major ethical challenges requiring the Church’s guidance.
She also condemned the “horrific violence” of the recent Manchester synagogue terror attack, stating, “Hatred and racism of any kind cannot be allowed to tear us apart.”
Consequently, her role will require significant diplomatic skill alongside spiritual authority, especially as she works with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who publicly wished her success and offered his full cooperation.
The process to select the Archbishop was notably secretive, managed by the Crown Nominations Commission before receiving the final assent of the King.
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