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Former nurse Sarah Mullally enthroned as first female Archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally was formally installed at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday, becoming the first woman to lead the centuries old mother church of the global Anglican community after her predecessor left amid an abuse scandal.
Mar 25th 2026 · United Kingdom
Insights
- Sarah Mullally, 63, was enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England.
- She is the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury and the symbolic head of the Anglican Communion.
- Her installation follows the departure of her predecessor after an abuse scandal.
- Around 2,000 people attended the ceremony, including Prince William and Princess Catherine.
- A former nurse and midwife, Mullally began the service by knocking three times at the west door and pledged to serve and proclaim the love of Christ.
Sources
- Former cancer nurse Sarah Mullally to be enthroned as first woman to lead Church of England www.france24.com
- Cancer nurse turned archbishop installed as first female Church of England leader www.france24.com
- Ex-nurse enthroned as first female Archbishop of Canterbury www.scmp.com
- For the first time in more than 1,400 years, Church of England gets a woman leader www.npr.org
- Sarah Mullally makes history as first woman enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury www.euronews.com
- New archbishop of Canterbury acknowledges abuse of ‘victims and survivors’ in first sermon www.theguardian.com