Sarah Mullally Appointed as Pioneering Woman Archbishop of Canterbury
Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the pioneering woman head of the Church of England, with Downing Street announcing the 106th archbishop of Canterbury almost twelve months following the departure of Justin Welby over the handling of a safeguarding scandal.
This represents the inaugural instance an leader of the Anglican church has been selected 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 Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York assumed many duties during the transition period, and was among the decision-makers of the group responsible for selecting the next archbishop.
The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) had to endorse the candidate by a two-thirds majority vote. Following approval, according to custom, the process involves a name being given to the head of government, Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.
The new archbishop will not formally assume the role until a formal endorsement in January, with an enthronement service scheduled afterward, after they have paid homage to the king.
