Dame Sarah Mullally has been formally confirmed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England.
Speaking after a historic confirmation ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral, Most Rev Sarah Mullally said she is committed to addressing misogyny within both the Church and society.
“It is fair to say that I have, both in my secular role, as well as in the Church, experienced misogyny at times,” she said.
“I'm conscious that being in this role, it's important for me to speak of it [misogyny], because there are some that don't necessarily have the status or power of this role, and feel more hesitant to do it. I commit myself to making an environment where all people can flourish and which is safer for all.”
The new Archbishop also addressed opposition to her appointment from some within the Anglican Communion.
“I have always understood that people may find my appointment as a woman difficult in the Church. I would, above all, want them to understand that I do hear their concerns and where they're coming from,” she said.
Graham Lacdao / St Paul’s Cathedral
The ceremony combined centuries-old legal and religious traditions, marking Dame Sarah’s transition from Bishop of London to Archbishop of Canterbury. Formerly England’s chief nursing officer, she said she feels both the weight of responsibility and strong public support.
“There's a sense of the weight of office that I feel, but I've also been very conscious of the huge support that I've had from people either writing [to me] or passing me in the streets,” she said.
Her appointment follows the resignation of Justin Welby amid criticism over safeguarding failures. Archbishop Sarah acknowledged scrutiny of her own record and reaffirmed her commitment to safeguarding reform.
“All of us should be open to having the light shone on what we do, and I recognise rightly that there is greater scrutiny on me and the actions that I have undertaken, and I reiterate my commitment to safeguarding. I also commit to ensuring that we have independence,” she said.
With Archbishop Sarah beginning her new role, the Bishop of Kensington, Rt Rev Emma Ineson, steps into the position of acting Bishop of London, a responsibility she described as both humbling and energising.
“I feel amazingly privileged. Actually, I'm really excited, she told Premier Christian News: “Somebody just said to me: 'This is a sad, happy day' So we are sad in the Diocese of London. We will miss her hugely, but it's a happy day.”
Bishop Emma framed both her and the Archbishop’s roles as obedience to God's plan.
“This is God's calling on her life. I believe that being the acting Bishop of London is God's calling on my life for the next season,” she said. “And so I think both she and I will have the help of God in that… and that's very much how I approach being acting Bishop of London too.”
Asked how people might pray for her and for the Archbishop in the months ahead, Bishop Emma pointed to wisdom, courage, and faithfulness.
“If people want to pray, I would pray that God's will be done in the Diocese of London, in the Church of England, in the Anglican Communion on earth as it is in heaven,” she said. “I think pray for wisdom… that we would make the right decisions and that we would have the courage and conviction to share the love of God wherever we go and in whatever we do.”
Dame Sarah will be installed at Canterbury Cathedral on 25th March. Before then, she will chair February’s General Synod, where safeguarding and the Church’s approach to same-sex blessings are expected to be key issues.
Reflecting on her leadership style, Archbishop Sarah said: “There's an African proverb that says, 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together' and so my desire is to go far and together.”
She also said she hopes to offer pastoral leadership and hope at a challenging time for the nation:
“I shared with the King that I hope to be the shepherd to care for people in their parishes, for our clergy, but also to speak of Christian hope at a time where there's a lot of challenges for people.”