London Bishop Sarah Mullally has been chosen as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold the historic role as spiritual head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Communion encompasses 42 provinces, including the Church of England, The Episcopal Church, and national and regional churches across six continents, representing more than 85 million Anglicans.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is regarded as the Communion’s “instrument of unity,” convening the Primates’ Meeting, the Lambeth Conference of bishops, and presiding at the Anglican Consultative Council. Mullally’s appointment was approved by King Charles III and will be formally confirmed in January 2026, with an installation service at Canterbury Cathedral scheduled for March.
Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe welcomed the news, calling Mullally “a wise and steady leader, a faithful advocate for the leadership of women in the church, and a bishop who will be committed to safeguarding vulnerable people and victims of abuse.” He added: “Please join me in praying for the Church of England, for all of the primates and churches of the Anglican Communion, and for Bishop Sarah at this momentous time.”