Sarah Mullally confirmed as first female Archbishop of Canterbury

Sarah Mullally becomes first woman Archbishop of Canterbury

Sarah Mullally has been formally confirmed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to occupy the role since the establishment of the Church of England nearly 1,400 years ago.

Her confirmation took place on Wednesday during a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, three months after her appointment was announced.

Describing the moment as “an extraordinary and humbling privilege,” Mullally said she would seek to lead the church with “calmness, consistency and compassion” amid what she called a period of division and uncertainty globally.

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The confirmation service reflected the international character of the Anglican Communion. Alongside hymns performed by the St Paul’s Cathedral choir, the ceremony included a Xhosa chant from South Africa, while a student delivered a reading in both English and Portuguese — the dominant language in the Anglican provinces of Mozambique and Angola, which share a pastoral relationship with the Diocese of London.

The position of Archbishop of Canterbury had been vacant for almost a year following the resignation of Justin Welby, who stepped down after failing to report a prolific child abuser.

Mullally was named as his successor in October.

Before entering ordained ministry, she worked as a nurse in London hospitals and later served as England’s chief nursing officer and as director of patient experience within the National Health Service.

She now becomes the spiritual leader of about 85 million Anglicans worldwide. Her formal installation is scheduled for March.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

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