Dame Sarah Mullally Selected as First Woman Archbishop of Canterbury
The Church of England has selected Sarah Mullally as the first female leader of the Church of England, with Downing Street announcing the new spiritual leader of Canterbury nearly a year after the departure of Justin Welby amid controversy regarding safeguarding issues.
This is the initial occasion an leader of the Anglican church has been chosen since the Church of England permitted female bishops in 2014.
The top cleric is considered the faith guide of the Anglican church worldwide and also possesses a role in the Lords.
The York’s archbishop Stephen Cottrell assumed many duties during the transition period, and was one of the voting members of the committee tasked with appointing the new leader.
The appointments commission had to endorse the candidate by a two-thirds majority vote. Following approval, in line with tradition, the procedure includes submitting a name to the PM, currently Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.
Mullally will not legally take on the role until a confirmation of election in January, with an enthronement service occurring subsequently, after homage is rendered to the monarch.
