Breaking: Anglican Communion Worldwide, Appoints A Female The Archbishop of Canterbury

By Adesina Soyooye

In a historic move in the history of the Anglican Communion Worldwide, a woman has been appointed to lead the Church.

The Church of England (Anglican Church) in a move that has left millions of jaws ajar,  many more numb, and others excited, on Friday, September 3, named Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

This means that Mullally will lead the over 85 million Anglicans Worldwide. This marks the first time in more than 1,400 years that a woman will hold the revered and influential and highly spiritual position in the Anglican Church.

The appointment makes Mullally the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. The 63-year old will hold  the office and take on the role of spiritual leader for the over 85 million Anglicans Worldwide.

Mullally, who succeeds Archbishop Justin Welby, who stepped aside voluntarily in November 2024 over a report which criticised his handling of historic se*ual abuse allegations connected to Christian summer camps, years before his appointment, has been the Bishop of London since 2018.

The new Archbishop of Canterbury, before getting entrenched in Church leadership, worked as a Cancer Nurse. She later occupied the high profile position of  England’s Chief Nursing Officer.

Known as an advocate for women’s rights within the Church, she has long been  a leading voice for reform.

Her appointment did not quite take many in the Church hierarchy by surprise. In deed, she and two other women were on the shortlist of potential candidates.

This appointment marks a landmark moment in Anglican history and likely to test unity across the worldwide Communion, especially, in Africa, Asia and Latin America which maintain more conservative positions than the Church of England.