Sarah Mullally Confirmed As Archbishop Of Canterbury
Church officials confirmed Sarah Mullally's confirmation as archbishop; she will be formally installed at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25.
Overview
Church officials confirmed that Sarah Mullally, 63, was confirmed as archbishop of Canterbury in a legal Confirmation of Election service on Wednesday, making her the first woman to lead the Church of England.
The Confirmation follows her nomination by a 17-member commission and approval by King Charles III, and comes after former Archbishop Justin Welby announced his resignation in November 2024 amid criticism over his handling of abuse allegations, church records show.
Gafcon leaders and Rwandan Archbishop Laurent Mbanda publicly criticized Mullally's support for blessing same-sex marriages, with Mbanda saying in October that she 'cannot provide leadership to the Anglican Communion,' according to Gafcon statements.
The Anglican Communion comprises about 100 million members in 165 countries, and church officials and victim advocates say Mullally must confront sexual abuse scandals that have dogged the Church of England for more than a decade.
Mullally will be formally installed as bishop of the diocese of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25, when church officials said her public-facing ministry will begin.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources are broadly neutral in tone: they report facts, include context about ordination history, and present competing viewpoints—expert praise, conservative criticism, and institutional challenges—using attribution and direct quotes. Editorial choices prioritize balance and chronology over evaluative language, limiting persuasive framing while letting source content convey disagreement.