Sara Mullaly Becomes First Woman Archbishop of Canterbury After 11-Month Election Process (Canterbury, United Kingdom)

Sara Mullaly, 63, has become the first woman to lead the Church of England, marking a historic milestone after 105 male predecessors. A former chief nurse in England, she now holds a position under the archbishop’s office, following a 11-month election process. The selection was led by a committee of about 20 people, including the former director general of MI5, the British interior intelligence agency. The process was not transparent, as the list of candidates was not published, and the voting was closed.

Mullaly will replace Justin Welby, who announced his resignation in November following an independent investigation. The inquiry found that Welby did not report serial physical and sexual violence against a volunteer at summer Christian camps after learning about it. Andrew Graceton, a defender of victims of church violence, expressed hope that Mullaly would address longstanding scandals involving sexual violence and ongoing debates about the treatment of women and LGBTQ+ individuals within the church.

During her first address from Canterbury Cathedral, Mullaly emphasized her commitment to following Christ and spreading his message. She also highlighted contemporary issues such as migration, political division, and debates in Parliament regarding end-of-life legislation. She referenced the recent attack on a synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur, the most sacred day of the Jewish year, calling attention to the issue of violent extremism.

Mullaly acknowledged her place in church history and thanked the women who had come before her. She expressed her intention to serve as a shepherd, promoting the faith and practices of others. The Prime Minister of Great Britain, Keir Starmer, welcomed Mullaly and praised the Anglican Church’s significance to the country. King Charles III approved her nomination and welcomed her, emphasizing the global importance of her role.

Mullaly will officially become the Archbishop of Canterbury at a ceremony in January and will later be included in an official event likely attended by members of the royal family. As the spiritual head of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion worldwide, her leadership comes at a time of both challenge and opportunity for the church.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Ukrainian)