Church chooses first female Archbishop of Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally has told of her joy in making history as the first woman to be named Archbishop of Canterbury while paying tribute to those who paved the way for the moment.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

The former chief nursing officer for England also acknowledged the challenges ahead as the first female to be top bishop in the Church of England due to the “legacy of deep harm and mistrust” she said existed following past safeguarding failures.

Dame Sarah is now Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, ahead of a legal ceremony that will confirm her position as the Church's top bishop.

She is the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, with the role having been vacant for almost a year after Justin Welby announced his resignation from office, following failures in handling an abuse scandal.

In address at Canterbury Cathedral, Dame Sarah said: “I’m told that there will be much talk today about this being a historic moment and a joyous one for many.

“I share with you in that joy, not for myself, but for a Church that listens to the calling of God and says, ‘Yes, we will follow you’.

“I intend to be a shepherd who enables everyone’s ministry and vocation to flourish, whatever the tradition.

“Today, I give thanks for all the men and women, lay and ordained deacons, priests and bishops who have paved the way for this moment, and to all the women that have gone before me - thank you for your support and inspiration.”

Dame Sarah added that the Church has a “responsibility” to stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism, saying: “Hatred and racism of any kind cannot be allowed to tear us apart.”