Dame Sarah Mullally Named as Incoming Archbishop of Canterbury
Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the incoming spiritual leader of the Church of England - making history as the initial female to be picked for this important office.
Previously England's chief nursing officer, the sixty-three-year-old became a priest in 2006 and was named as the first female Bishop of London in 2018 - the third most senior member of clergy in the Church of England.
This represents the first time in nearly 500 years of tradition that the Anglican Communion has chosen a woman to guide its direction.
Historic Appointment
The Anglican Church has been lacking an individual in the senior role for almost a year after Justin Welby stepped down over a protection controversy.
He resigned following a critical investigation into a serial offender linked to the Church. The investigation found that he "could and should" have notified authorities about the misconduct by John Smyth of boys and young men to police in 2013.
The Archbishop of York took on most of Mr Welby's responsibilities in an temporary arrangement, and was one of the voting members of the body tasked with choosing his replacement.
Political Process
Following established custom, the procedure of selecting a spiritual leader involves a name being given to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then passed to the monarch.
Sir Keir has applauded the selection of Dame Sarah, commenting: "This position will play a key role in our country's affairs. I wish her every success and anticipate working together."
Although formally, the King is head of the Anglican Church, the person holding the position of Archbishop of Canterbury is the highest-ranking cleric and is the spiritual leader of the religious institution and the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Royal and International Response
King Charles III has praised the new Archbishop on her appointment, "a position of great significance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion", Buckingham Palace said.
The international conservative Anglican group, which represents conservative views, has questioned the selection, saying that although certain groups support the decision, "the majority of the Anglican Communion still maintains that the Bible requires a all-male bishopric."
Handover Process
She does not legally take on her new role until a confirmation of election in the new year, and an enthronement service comes later, after they have paid homage to the King.
In a statement on the announcement day after her appointment was confirmed, she commented: "I know this is a huge responsibility but I approach it with a feeling of calm and faith in divine guidance to support me as He always has."
Addressing media at Canterbury Cathedral, she noted that "during a period that seeks absolute answers and group identity, the Anglican tradition provides a more subtle approach but stronger."
Addressing Violence
Talking about the "terrible attack" of the previous day's incident on a Jewish house of worship in Manchester, she stated "we observe hatred that rises up through fractures across our society."
She continued: "We then as a Church have a responsibility to be a people who stand with the Jewish people against antisemitism in all its forms. Hatred and racism of any kind cannot be allowed to tear us apart."
Background and Career
A mother of two, she spent over 35 years in the NHS, achieving the position of the most junior person to serve as chief nurse for England in 1999.
While serving voluntarily in the Church at the time, it was just a few years later that she decided to become a clergy member and was promptly assigned helping implement changes in the way the institution dealt with abuse.
In 2012 she became canon treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral before assuming the role of diocesan leader in the diocese of Exeter in 2015.
As London's religious leader she was regarded as someone who used her experience as an NHS administrator to help update the diocese.
Guiding Principles
"People frequently inquire what it has been like to have had two careers, first in the NHS and now in the Church.
"I prefer to think that I have always had one vocation: to pursue Christian faith, to understand his teachings and to make him known, continually striving to live with compassion in the service of others, whether as a healthcare professional, a priest, or a bishop."
Future Challenges
Perhaps the most urgent thing in her in-tray is still to develop improved approaches towards dealing with abuse and treating with more compassion those impacted by such incidents.
There has also been a reduction in church attendance, though the capital has to a degree resisted this pattern.
One of the areas she has been particularly vocal on is end-of-life choices - she is a strong critic, as was her predecessor.
When legislation was passed in the House of Commons, she characterized it as "impractical and dangerous and creates danger to the most vulnerable people in our society."
Modern Positions
Among her responsibilities as Bishop of London was to lead a committee trying to steer the Church's decision on whether to bless same-sex marriages.
She described the decision to finally allow priests to sanction gay relationships in last year as "an optimistic development for the Church."
A former Archbishop, summarised her new role as necessitating a "awareness of current affairs and a understanding of scripture."
Dr Williams explained to media outlets "the pressure of having an position on all matters is significantly demanding."
