Sarah Mullally becomes 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide
LONDON: In a historic development, the Church of England has appointed Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, ending a centuries-old tradition.
The formal ceremony was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, where Mullally was officially confirmed during an ancient and traditional process known as the “Confirmation of Election.” The event is both a legal and religious ritual, after which the Archbishop formally assumes office.
During the ceremony, Sarah Mullally took an oath of loyalty in front of a senior bishop who attended as the representative of King Charles.
Mullally becomes the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and will also serve as the spiritual head of nearly 85 million Anglican Christians across 165 countries.
The ceremony was attended by bishops and clergy from the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion, along with schoolchildren and various choir groups. The service reflected cultural diversity, featuring readings in English and Portuguese, as well as European and African musical performances.
It is worth noting that the British monarch has remained the Supreme Governor of the Church of England since the 16th century, following the Church’s separation from the Roman Catholic Church.