First Female Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally Installed

Published: March 27, 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In a moment of profound historical weight, the Most Reverend Sarah Mullally has been formally installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England in its 1,400-year history. During her inaugural sermon at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday, Archbishop Mullally moved the 2,000-strong congregation by reflecting on her own journey from a secular career in nursing to the highest office in the Anglican Communion. “This resonates with me as I look back over my life,” she told those gathered, “at the teenage Sarah who put her faith in God and made a commitment to follow Jesus. I could never have imagined the future that lay ahead, and certainly not the ministry to which I am now called.“

The ceremony, rich with ancient tradition yet punctuated by modern milestones, saw the Archbishop knock three times on the Great West Door of the cathedral before being greeted by local schoolchildren. The presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, underscored the national significance of the event. Mullally, 63, succeeds Justin Welby, who resigned in late 2024. Her path to the “Chair of St Augustine” is unique; she formerly served as the Chief Nursing Officer for England before pursuing full-time ministry, a background many hope will bring a “healing touch” to a church currently grappling with internal divisions and the legacy of safeguarding failures.

The theme of the service was “Nothing will be impossible with God,” a message Mullally wove into a sermon that drew parallels between her own unexpected path and the biblical figure of Mary. She spoke candidly about the “stained glass ceiling” that has finally been shattered, acknowledging that while her appointment is a joyous occasion for many, it remains a point of contention for conservative wings of the global Anglican church. In a gesture of reconciliation, several female bishops from across Africa—known as the “Africa Six”—participated in the procession, signaling a shift in the global landscape of faith leadership.

Archbishop Mullally’s first acts in her new role have been focused on transparency and reform. She has pledged to “shine a light” on the Church’s past handling of abuse, describing safeguarding as a “non-negotiable responsibility.” Her installation also comes at a time of geopolitical tension; in her first official prayers, she called for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. For many in the pews, her elevation represents more than just a change in personnel; it is a signal that the Church of England is attempting to align itself more closely with the realities of 21st-century society.

As she begins her six-year tenure—limited by the Church’s compulsory retirement age of 70—the new Archbishop faces an immediate “in-tray” of daunting challenges. These include the ongoing debate over same-sex blessings, declining attendance in rural parishes, and the role of bishops in a reforming House of Lords. However, Mullally has signaled that she intends to lead with the same “pragmatic kindness” she once brought to the wards of the NHS. Her message to young women and girls watching the ceremony was clear: “It is entirely possible for you to follow your dreams, whatever they may be.“

The day concluded with a symbolic pilgrimage through the city, where the Archbishop met with local residents and pilgrims who had traveled to witness the historic moment. While the legal confirmation of her role took place in January at St Paul’s Cathedral, it was the sounding of the bells at Canterbury that truly marked the start of the “Mullally Era.” For a woman who spent her teenage years in Surrey never dreaming of the clergy, the weight of the pastoral staff now in her hand serves as a testament to a future she truly could not have imagined.

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