Sarah Mullally Appointed as Pioneering Woman Leader of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally has been named as the inaugural woman leader of the Church of England, with the government confirming the top cleric of Canterbury almost twelve months following the departure of Justin Welby over the handling of a safeguarding scandal.
This marks the first time an archbishop of Canterbury has been chosen since the Church of England permitted female bishops in 2014.
The archbishop is regarded as the spiritual leader of the Anglican church all over the world and also possesses a seat in the House of Lords.
The archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell took on most of the responsibilities during the transition period, and was one of the voting members of the body charged with choosing the new leader.
The selection body had to endorse the candidate by a two-thirds consensus. Once decided, in line with tradition, the steps entail presenting a nominee to the PM, currently Keir Starmer and then submitted to the sovereign.
She will not officially begin the role until a electoral confirmation in January, with an induction rite taking place later, after they have paid homage to the king.
