The Church of England has selected Sarah Mullally as the inaugural woman leader of the Church of England, with Downing Street announcing the 106th archbishop of Canterbury nearly a year after Justin Welby’s resignation over the handling of a safeguarding scandal.
This marks the first time an archbishop of Canterbury has been appointed since the Church of England permitted female bishops in 2014.
The top cleric is considered the faith guide of the Anglican church all over the world and also possesses a seat in the House of Lords.
The archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell assumed many duties temporarily, and was one of the voting members of the body charged with choosing the new leader.
The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) had to agree to the new appointment by a two-thirds consensus. Once decided, in line with tradition, the steps entail presenting a nominee to the prime minister – in this case Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.
She will not officially begin the role until a formal endorsement in January, with an induction rite occurring subsequently, after homage is rendered to the monarch.
