Dame Sarah Mullally Confirmed as First Female Archbishop of Canterbury
In a historic shift for the Church of England, Dame Sarah Mullally was formally confirmed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The ceremony, held at St Paul’s Cathedral, marks the first time a woman has ascended to the most senior position in the Church’s 1,400-year history.
The legal "Confirmation of Election" service officially transferred the title and authority of the See of Canterbury to Mullally, who previously served as the Bishop of London. During the proceedings, she took the oath of allegiance to the British Crown and the Church of England, legally succeeding Justin Welby, who stepped down in late 2024 following a high-profile safeguarding scandal.
Addressing the significance of the moment, Archbishop Mullally described her new role as an "extraordinary and humbling privilege". In a statement released by the Diocese of Canterbury, she noted the gravity of leading a faith community in "times of division and uncertainty for our fractured world," expressing her desire to foster a space for unity and common ground.
The 63-year-old former nurse brings a non-traditional background to Lambeth Palace. Before entering the priesthood, Mullally held a distinguished career in the National Health Service (NHS), where she served as England’s Chief Nursing Officer.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, who participated in the confirmation service, praised her appointment. "She is a person of huge courage, wisdom, integrity, and experience," he said, adding that it was a "joy" to stand alongside her as she begins this new chapter of leadership.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere in London, the appointment has been met with mixed reactions within the 85-million-strong global Anglican Communion. While many liberal provinces have hailed the move as a long-overdue milestone for gender equality, conservative groups have expressed concern.
Mullally has also faced immediate questions regarding the Church’s ongoing struggles with safeguarding. In an interview following the ceremony, she committed to transparency and independent scrutiny, acknowledging the shadow cast by her predecessor's resignation.
While the legal confirmation is complete, Mullally will not fully commence her public ministry until her formal installation. That ceremony, known as the enthronement, is scheduled for March 26, 2026, at Canterbury Cathedral. Until then, she will be involved in the Church’s General Synod in February, where she is expected to deliver her first major address to the clergy and lay members.
