Sarah Mullally Named as Pioneering Female Archbishop of Canterbury
Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the inaugural woman leader of the Church of England, with the government confirming the 106th archbishop of Canterbury shortly after a year since Welby stepping down amid controversy regarding safeguarding issues.
This is the initial occasion an archbishop of Canterbury has been selected since the Church of England opened the episcopate to women in 2014.
The leader is seen as the faith guide of the Anglican church globally and also possesses a role in the Lords.
The York’s archbishop Stephen Cottrell took on most of the responsibilities in the interim, and was a participating elector of the committee tasked with appointing the next archbishop.
The appointments commission had to endorse the candidate by a supermajority decision. After agreement, in line with tradition, the process involves a name being given to the PM, currently Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.
The new archbishop will not formally assume the role until a confirmation of election in January, with an induction rite taking place later, after they have paid homage to the king.
