Sarah Mullally Named as First Woman Archbishop of the Church of England
The Church of England has selected Sarah Mullally as the first female leader of the Church of England, with the government confirming the top cleric of Canterbury shortly after a year since the departure of Justin Welby over the handling of a safeguarding scandal.
This marks the first time an leader of the Anglican church has been appointed since the Church of England opened the episcopate to women in 2014.
The top cleric is considered the faith guide of the Anglican church worldwide and also possesses a position in the upper parliamentary chamber.
The York’s archbishop Stephen Cottrell took on most of the responsibilities in the interim, and was one of the voting members of the group responsible for selecting the new leader.
The selection body had to approve the selection by a two-thirds consensus. After agreement, as per protocol, the procedure includes submitting a name to the head of government, 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 installation ceremony taking place later, after allegiance is sworn to the sovereign.
