Sarah Mullally Appointed as Pioneering Woman Leader of Canterbury
The Church of England has selected Sarah Mullally as the inaugural woman leader of the Church of England, with Downing Street announcing the top cleric of Canterbury almost twelve months following Justin Welby’s resignation amid controversy regarding safeguarding issues.
This marks the first time an leader of the Anglican church has been selected since the Church of England opened the episcopate to women in 2014.
The leader is seen as the faith guide of the Anglican church all over the world and they also have a position in the upper parliamentary chamber.
The Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York took on most of the responsibilities temporarily, and was one of the voting members of the body charged with choosing Welby’s successor.
The selection body had to agree to the new appointment by a supermajority decision. Once decided, as per protocol, the procedure includes submitting a name to the PM, currently Keir Starmer and then forwarded to the king.
Mullally will not legally take on the role until a confirmation of election in January, with an installation ceremony taking place later, after allegiance is sworn to the sovereign.
