On Oct. 3, 2025, the British government announced that King Charles III had approved the nomination of Sarah Mullaly as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. She will be the first woman to hold this office.
Bishop Sarah is no stranger to firsts. Before being ordained, she worked as a nurse for the NHS, eventually working her way up to the role of Chief Nursing Officer for England. At the age of 37, she was the youngest person ever to hold this role. In 2005, Bishop Sarah was appointed a Dame of the British Empire for her service to nursing.
Bishop Sarah became a Christian at the age of 16 and in 2001, she began training on a part-time basis for ordained ministry. After almost a decade serving in parish ministry, in 2015, Bishop Sarah was elected Bishop of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter. She was consecrated a bishop by then-Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at Canterbury Cathedral, becoming one of the first women to be consecrated as a bishop in that cathedral.
In 2017, she became the first woman to be elected Bishop of London. The Bishop of London is the third most senior bishop in the Church of England, after the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.
In a new release on Oct. 3, Sarah Mullaly said: “I look forward to sharing this journey of faith with the millions of people serving God and their communities in parishes all over the country and across the global Anglican Communion.”
Shane Parker, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, sent a message to Bishop Sarah the same day: “Be certain of the steadfast prayers of Canadian Anglicans from coast to coast to coast and know that our friendship is solid and hearty — in all good spiritual and practical ways.”
In an article published in the Anglican Journal, also on Oct. 3, Archbishop Shane commented: “I think the selection of Archbishop-designate Sarah Mullally is timely and inspired… Archbishop-designate Mullally personifies the thoughtful Christianity that is at the heart of the Anglican tradition. Her public comments about a number of matters reflect balance and careful consideration of the need to acknowledge differences, with a view to maintaining unity rather than feeding division.”
In a message to the Diocese of Islands and Inlets, Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee commented on Bishop Sarah’s appointment: “I am rejoicing that the church has raised up a loving, prophetic and discerning sister in Christ. Blessings on your ministry, Bishop Sarah.”
Bishop Sarah will be installed at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026. Watch an interview with Sarah Mullaly, discussing her appointment as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
