Sarah Mullally named as new Archbishop of Canterbury

"Dame Sarah Mullally has been named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury designate - the first woman to be chosen for the role. A former NHS chief nurse, the 63-year-old became a priest in 2006 and was appointed as the first female Bishop of London in 2018 - the third most senior member of clergy in the Church of England."

"The Church has been without someone in the top job for almost a year after Justin Welby resigned over a safeguarding scandal. He stepped down after a damning report into a prolific child abuser associated with the Church. It found that he "could and should" have reported John Smyth's abuse of boys and young men to police in 2013. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell took on most of Mr Welby's responsibilities in an interim move."

Dame Sarah Mullally, a former NHS chief nurse aged 63, has been named Archbishop of Canterbury designate, the first woman chosen for the role in nearly 500 years. She became a priest in 2006 and was appointed the first female Bishop of London in 2018, the third most senior clergy position in the Church of England. The Church has been without a permanent archbishop for almost a year after Justin Welby resigned following a damning safeguarding report that found he "could and should" have reported John Smyth's abuse to police in 2013. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell served interim responsibilities. The Prime Minister and King Charles III have publicly welcomed and congratulated Dame Sarah.

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