Sarah Mullally Named as First Woman Leader of Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the first female leader of the Church of England, with official sources revealing the 106th archbishop of Canterbury nearly a year after the departure of Justin Welby following a safeguarding controversy.

This represents the inaugural instance an top bishop of Canterbury has been selected since the Church of England allowed women to become bishops in 2014.

The archbishop is regarded as the faith guide of the Anglican church globally and additionally holds a role in the Lords.

The York’s archbishop Stephen Cottrell took on most of the responsibilities temporarily, and was one of the voting members of the committee tasked with appointing the new leader.

The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) had to agree to the new appointment by a two-thirds majority vote. Following approval, in line with tradition, the procedure includes submitting a name to the PM, currently Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.

The new archbishop will not formally assume the role until a electoral confirmation in January, with an enthronement service occurring subsequently, after allegiance is sworn to the sovereign.

Emily Brown
Emily Brown

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