The Church of England has made a groundbreaking decision by appointing Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, marking her as the first woman to hold this prestigious position in Anglican Christianity globally. The announcement was made on Friday and has already ignited controversy among conservative church leaders, especially from Africa.
Sarah Mullally, who is 63 years old and previously served as the chief nursing officer for England, steps into a role fraught with historical tensions, particularly concerning the Church’s stance on women and LGBTQ+ matters. As Archbishop, Mullally will face a divided Anglican Communion, grappling with contrasting conservative and liberal views on issues like women’s ordination and the acceptance of same-sex marriage, which remains illegal in various African nations.
While her appointment has been met with enthusiasm by many in the UK, it has also drawn criticism from some prominent conservative voices. For instance, Laurent Mbanda, the Archbishop of Rwanda and head of a global conservative Anglican network, expressed skepticism about Mullally’s ability to unify the Communion, suggesting her leadership signals a divergence from traditional biblical values. Additionally, a Nigerian bishop characterized the appointment as “very dangerous,” advocating that women should remain in subordinate roles within the Church hierarchy.
Mullally, who has supported same-sex blessings during her tenure as Bishop of London since 2018, recognizes the Church’s ongoing struggles with these pivotal issues. In her inaugural address at Canterbury Cathedral, she conveyed her commitment to fostering vibrant ministries across various traditions within the Church.
Her responsibilities will also include advocating for safeguarding improvements following recent moral crises within the Church, alongside denouncing the rising tide of antisemitism, particularly after a recent violent incident at a synagogue in Manchester.
Despite the Church of England’s progressive stance on female leadership, allowing women to be ordained as priests and bishops for over 30 years, many churches in Africa and Asia continue to reject these reforms, maintaining their own governance while acknowledging the Archbishop of Canterbury in a ceremonial capacity.
Mullally takes over from Justin Welby, who resigned amid backlash over a child abuse cover-up. In her address, Mullally emphasized the challenges of maintaining faith in a world searching for certainty, while also recognizing the violence and animosity present in contemporary society.
Leveraging her experience as a healthcare leader, Mullally highlighted the importance of empathy and support in ministry, likening the roles of nurses and clergy as akin to service-oriented missions that focus on caring for individuals in their most vulnerable moments.
The announcement of her historic appointment, made by the Prime Minister’s office and sanctioned by King Charles, reflects the established status of the Church in England. Many view Mullally’s leadership as a promising advancement toward greater inclusivity and understanding within the Church and the broader Anglican community, fostering a move toward progress and unity amidst long-standing divisions.