Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Mullally to be installed as first female Archbishop of Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally becomes the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, overseeing 85 million Anglicans and addressing church unity amid historic safeguarding reforms.

  • On Wednesday, Dame Sarah Mullally was enthroned as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England in its 1,400-year history. More than 2,000 guests attended the ceremony.
  • Mullally, previously England's chief nursing officer, secured the appointment in October 2025 before confirmation in January 2026 at St Paul's Cathedral. Women were only permitted to become priests in England from 1994, making her elevation historically significant.
  • The 90-minute ceremony featured the St John's Bible, used for an oath for the first time since 1945, and followed Mullally's 140 km pilgrimage from London. Prince William and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended alongside representatives from 165 countries.
  • Mullally inherits a church facing declining attendance and a 'legacy of deep harm and mistrust' from past safeguarding failures. She pledged to listen to survivors, stating, 'Light should be shone on all our actions, and the more senior we are, the more light should be shone.'
  • The Archbishop faces the complex task of uniting a divided 85-million-member Anglican Communion. While conservative GAFCON members recently formed a separate council, Mullally continues to emphasize unity across the global church amid ongoing tensions regarding women's ordination.
Insights by Ground AI

21 Articles

Lean Right

Former head of nurses and prelate of London, this 63-year-old theologian takes command in the face of a deep crisis of trust among her faithful.

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 41% of the sources are Center, 41% of the sources lean Right
41% Right

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Reuters broke the news in United Kingdom on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal