Sarah Mullally Named as Pioneering Female Leader of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally has been named as the inaugural woman leader of the Church of England, with official sources revealing the top cleric of Canterbury shortly after a year since Welby stepping down over the handling of a safeguarding scandal.
This is the initial occasion an archbishop of Canterbury has been chosen since the Church of England allowed women to become bishops in 2014.
The top cleric is considered the spiritual leader of the Anglican church all over the world and they also have a seat in the House of Lords.
The Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York took on most of the responsibilities during the transition period, and was one of the voting members of the committee tasked with appointing Welby’s successor.
The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) had to endorse the candidate by a two-thirds consensus. After agreement, according to custom, the process involves a name being given to the PM, currently Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.
The new archbishop will not formally assume the role until a formal endorsement in January, with an installation ceremony taking place later, after allegiance is sworn to the sovereign.
