Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. She previously served as Bishop of London for nearly eight years, a role that preceded her appointment to the archbishopric.
The announcement was made on 3 October 2025, with Mullally beginning her first public address at Canterbury Cathedral shortly after the appointment. She referenced her vocation shaped by nursing, priesthood, and episcopal service, emphasizing that healing in a world of uncertainty lies in acts of kindness and love.
The appointment followed the deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester, which may have influenced the context of her initial remarks. The Crown Nominations Commission, chaired by Lord Evans of Weardale, oversaw the selection process, which involved consultation and deliberation over several months.