Sarah Mullally Named as Pioneering Female Archbishop of the Church of England
Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the pioneering woman head of the Church of England, with Downing Street announcing the top cleric of Canterbury shortly after a year since the departure of Justin Welby amid controversy regarding safeguarding issues.
This marks the first time an leader of the Anglican church has been chosen since the Church of England permitted female bishops in 2014.
The top cleric is considered the religious head of the Anglican church worldwide and also possesses a role in the Lords.
The archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell handled key tasks during the transition period, and was one of the voting members of the committee tasked with appointing the next archbishop.
The appointments commission had to endorse the candidate by a two-thirds consensus. After agreement, according to custom, the procedure includes submitting a name to the prime minister – in this case Keir Starmer and then forwarded to the king.
She will not officially begin the role until a confirmation of election in January, with an enthronement service taking place later, after allegiance is sworn to the sovereign.
