Sarah Mullally has been named as the first female leader of the Church of England, with the government confirming the top cleric of Canterbury almost twelve months following Justin Welby’s resignation amid controversy regarding safeguarding issues.
This is the initial occasion an top bishop of Canterbury has been chosen since the Church of England opened the episcopate to women in 2014.
The leader is seen as the religious head of the Anglican church worldwide and additionally holds a role in the Lords.
The archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell assumed many duties during the transition period, and was among the decision-makers of the group responsible for selecting the next archbishop.
The selection body had to endorse the candidate by a supermajority decision. Once decided, according to custom, the steps entail presenting a nominee to the prime minister – in this case Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.
Mullally will not legally take on the role until a electoral confirmation in January, with an enthronement service taking place later, after they have paid homage to the king.
