Breaking News from Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally new Archbishop of Canterbury. First woman to hold the position.

Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury, following in the footsteps of Thomas Becket, Thomas Cranmer, and Robert Runcie.

The Role

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the bishop of the diocese of Canterbury.

The first archbishop was Augustine of Canterbury, known as the “Apostle to the English”, who was appointed in 597.

History

This appointment marks a historic moment, and for those in Canterbury, the bells of the cathedral are ringing out to celebrate the new archbishop… and I can hear them from my office… I love history!

Before her election as Archbishop of Canterbury, she served as Bishop of London from 2018. Earlier in her career, she worked in clinical nursing at St Thomas’ Hospital and The Royal Marsden Hospital, where she completed a specialist nursing course, combining healthcare expertise with pastoral leadership

Not only is it a historic role, it is also the first time a woman has ever held the position. That’s history!