Micah Jonah
March 26, 2026
Sarah Mullally has been formally installed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England in its history.
The installation ceremony took place at Canterbury Cathedral before about 2,000 guests, marking the official commencement of her public ministry as the spiritual head of the global Anglican Communion.
Among dignitaries present were Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, alongside other religious leaders.
Although she had assumed office in January, the ceremony signified her formal enthronement in line with long-standing church tradition. She took her seat on the historic Chair of St Augustine, a central symbol of authority within the Church of England.
In her inaugural address, Mullally reaffirmed her commitment to service, declaring her readiness to undertake the responsibilities of the office. She also offered prayers for peace in conflict-affected regions, including the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar.
Mullally acknowledged past challenges within the church, particularly issues relating to safeguarding, and stressed the need for continued commitment to truth, justice and accountability. Her predecessor, Justin Welby, resigned in 2024 following a major scandal linked to child protection failures.
The ceremony featured traditional rites, including her formal entry into the cathedral and participation in multi-language prayers, reflecting the global spread of the Anglican Communion.
Mullally, a former nurse, also incorporated elements of her personal background into the ceremony, wearing a clasp modelled after her National Health Service belt, symbolising her years in public service. She also wore a historic ring previously associated with Michael Ramsey, further reflecting continuity within the church’s leadership.
Her emergence represents a significant milestone for the Church of England, which first ordained female priests in 1994 and consecrated its first female bishop in 2015.
However, her appointment has generated mixed reactions across the Anglican Communion, particularly among conservative blocs in Africa and Asia that have expressed reservations over women’s leadership and doctrinal issues. Despite this, recent developments indicate efforts to maintain unity within the global church structure.
With about 85 million members worldwide, the Anglican Communion remains one of the largest Christian bodies. Analysts note that Mullally faces the task of managing internal divisions while preserving the unity of the church across different regions and cultural perspectives.
The Archbishop of Canterbury remains the symbolic leader of the Anglican Communion, a role that relies largely on influence and consensus rather than direct authority.
Mullally’s enthronement marks a historic development for the Church of England and signals a new phase in its leadership structure amid evolving global religious dynamics.
