A groundbreaking moment in history took place recently as Sarah Mullally, a 63-year-old former nurse and midwife, became the first woman to lead the Anglican community as the Archbishop of Canterbury. Following the departure of her predecessor, who resigned over the Church of England's mishandling of an abuse scandal, Mullally was formally enthroned in a historic ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral in front of an impressive 2,000 attendees, including Prince William and his wife Princess Catherine.
The event kicked off with a traditional knock on the cathedral's west door, where Mullally, resplendent in deep yellow-gold robes, was greeted by a group of local schoolchildren who curiously asked why she had been sent. Her response, warm and sincere, left a lasting impression: 'I am sent as archbishop to serve you, to proclaim the love of Christ, and with you to worship and love him with heart and soul, mind and strength.'
Mullally's installation was a significant moment, as it symbolized her dual roles as both a bishop in the Diocese of Canterbury and the spiritual leader of Anglicans worldwide. Her predecessor, Justin Welby, had announced his resignation in November 2024 after a report revealed the Church of England had covered up a 1970s serial abuse case and he had failed to report the abuses to authorities when they came to his attention in 2013.
As Mullally takes on this new position, she has reaffirmed her commitment to
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