Great Britain Archbishop of Canterbury inaugurated into office
Sarah Mullally has been confirmed as the new Archbishop of Canterbury at a solemn ceremony in St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
28.01.2026, 15:23
28.01.2026, 15:24
SDA
She is the first woman in the history of the Church of England's highest spiritual office and is therefore also regarded as the most important leader of all Anglican churches worldwide. The formal head of the Church of England is King Charles III, who had given his consent to the appointment.
Mullally succeeds Justin Welby, who had to announce his resignation almost a year ago due to his role in the delayed investigation into an abuse scandal. The post was vacant for months after his resignation.
Archbishop wants to listen to victims of abuse
During the ceremony, Mullally emphasized that she wants to preside over a church "that always listens to those who have been ignored or overlooked, including victims and survivors of abuse in the church who have often been abandoned." The church also faces the challenges of God's call for justice, equality, peace and the integrity of creation.
Mullally is the 106th holder of the episcopate of Canterbury. She is considered progressive on issues of church recognition of same-sex relationships, but is an opponent of the Labor government's proposed assisted suicide bill, which is currently going through the legislative process in Parliament. Mullally previously worked as a nurse for cancer patients before embarking on a career in the church. She has been Bishop of London since 2018.
