Dame Sarah Mullally Selected as Pioneering Woman Archbishop of Canterbury
Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the pioneering woman head of the Church of England, with Downing Street announcing the 106th archbishop of Canterbury shortly after a year since the departure of Justin Welby following a safeguarding controversy.
This marks the first time an archbishop of Canterbury has been selected since the Church of England allowed women to become bishops in 2014.
The leader is seen as the spiritual leader of the Anglican church worldwide and also possesses a seat in the House of Lords.
The Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York assumed many duties temporarily, and was a participating elector of the committee tasked with appointing Welby’s successor.
The selection body had to endorse the candidate by a two-thirds majority vote. After agreement, in line with tradition, the process involves a name being given to the prime minister – in this case Keir Starmer and then forwarded to the king.
She will not officially begin the role until a electoral confirmation in January, with an installation ceremony scheduled afterward, after homage is rendered to the monarch.
