In a groundbreaking ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday, Sarah Mullally shattered centuries of tradition by becoming the first woman to assume the role of Archbishop of Canterbury. The 63-year-old former midwife and chief nursing officer was formally enthroned as the 106th spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which encompasses approximately 85 million members.
The historic installation ceremony, attended by approximately 2,000 guests including Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, followed traditional protocols. Mullally initiated the proceedings by knocking three times on the cathedral’s west door with her staff. Dressed in golden robes, she was greeted by local schoolchildren who inquired about her purpose. ‘I am sent as archbishop to serve you, to proclaim the love of Christ,’ she responded.
The ceremony featured Mullally being seated in two distinct thrones, symbolizing her dual responsibilities as Bishop of the Canterbury diocese and global spiritual leader of Anglicans. Her appointment follows the resignation of predecessor Justin Welby, who stepped down in November 2024 following criticism over the Church’s handling of historical abuse cases.
Mullally brings a unique background to the position, having spent over three decades in Britain’s National Health Service before her ordination as a priest in 2002. Her rapid ascent through church hierarchy saw her become the first female Bishop of London in 2018, just four years after the Church of England began permitting women bishops.
The new Archbishop has emphasized her commitment to addressing past failures, stating she will ‘do all I can to ensure that the Church becomes safer and also responds well to victims and survivors of abuse.’ While the Anglican Communion remains divided on female leadership—with some churches like Rwanda’s maintaining opposition to women bishops—Mullally’s appointment marks a significant milestone. Currently, more than 40 of England’s 108 bishops are women, reflecting substantial progress since women were first ordained as priests in the early 1990s.