Vatican City: The Catholic Church has extended warm congratulations to Bishop Sarah Mullally following her historic appointment as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, marking the first time a woman will hold the most senior clerical office in the Church of England.
King Charles III formally approved the nomination of the Rt. Revd. and Rt. Hon. Dame Sarah Mullally, currently Bishop of London, to succeed Archbishop Justin Welby, who stepped down nearly a year ago. Her installation is scheduled for March 2026 at Canterbury Cathedral, the ancient seat of Anglicanism.
Bishop Mullallyâs appointment breaks new ground in the Church of England. Since 2018 she has served as the Bishop of London the first woman to hold that position and before that as Bishop of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter. Earlier in her career, she was distinguished in the medical field, rising to become Englandâs Chief Nursing Officer at just 37, the youngest person ever appointed to that post. She has often described her vocation, both in nursing and in ordained ministry, as a call to reflect Godâs love in service to others.
The process leading to her nomination was overseen by the Crown Nominations Commission, which carried out months of consultation, prayer, and discernment. The Commission included representatives from the Diocese of Canterbury, the Church of England, and the wider Anglican Communion.
Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, wrote a personal letter congratulating Bishop Mullally and assuring her of the Catholic Churchâs prayers as she prepares to take on her new responsibilities.
âI write to congratulate you on your appointment and to express the good wishes of the Catholic Church to you as you prepare to undertake this important service in your Church,â Cardinal Koch wrote. âI pray that the Lord will bless you with the gifts you need for the very demanding ministry to which you have now been called, equipping you to be an instrument of communion and unity for the faithful among whom you will serve.â
Cardinal Koch highlighted the longstanding dialogue between Anglicans and Catholics, noting that nearly six decades of theological exchange have nurtured both mutual understanding and affection. He pointed to the renewed closeness felt earlier this year in the wake of Pope Francisâs death, and expressed hope that such fraternity would endure in the years ahead.
Bishop Mullally will inherit the mantle of spiritual leadership for more than 85 million Anglicans worldwide. Reflecting on her appointment, she emphasized her desire to guide the Church in proclaiming the Gospel with renewed confidence.
âI hope to encourage the Church to continue to grow in confidence in the Gospel, to speak of the love that we find in Jesus Christ and for it to shape our actions,â she said. âI 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.â
Her appointment comes at a time of deep social and spiritual change in Britain and beyond. For many observers, Bishop Mullallyâs elevation represents not only a significant moment in the Anglican Church but also a new chapter in ecumenical relations.
Cardinal Kochâs words underscored that sentiment, assuring her of continued Catholic support: âIt is my fervent hope that such closeness may continue in the years ahead as we continue to walk together on the way. With the assurance of my prayers for you and your family.â
When she takes her place in Canterbury Cathedral next March, Bishop Mullally will not only step into a role shaped by centuries of history but also chart a path for a Church seeking to balance tradition with the challenges of a rapidly changing world.