LONDON Oct 3, 2025 — In a historic move, the Church of England has appointed Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, making her not only the first woman to hold the office but also the new spiritual leader of more than 85 million Anglicans across the world, including millions in Uganda.
Mullally, 63, currently serving as the Bishop of London, will succeed Archbishop Justin Welby, who resigned earlier this year amid criticism over the handling of abuse scandals. Her installation is scheduled for January 2026, followed by a formal enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral, the symbolic seat of Anglicanism.
Global Significance
As Head of the Anglican Communion, Mullally’s leadership will extend far beyond England, directly influencing provinces in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and beyond. This includes the Church of Uganda, one of the largest and most influential Anglican provinces globally.
The decision has been hailed in the UK as a watershed moment for gender equality in church leadership. However, the appointment is expected to face mixed reactions across Africa, where some provinces—including Uganda—have traditionally opposed the consecration of women as bishops and remain deeply divided over same-sex marriage and other doctrinal issues.
A Unique Background
Before her rise in the church, Mullally was a distinguished nurse and served as England’s Chief Nursing Officer between 1999 and 2004. She was ordained in 2001 and became Bishop of Crediton in 2015 before being promoted to Bishop of London, the third-highest office in the Church of England.
Her nursing background is seen as a strength, bringing compassion, care, and a focus on healing—qualities many believe will be crucial as she attempts to reconcile the increasingly fractured global Anglican family.
Challenges Ahead
Mullally assumes leadership at a time when the Anglican Communion is struggling with deep internal divisions over LGBTQ+ inclusion, safeguarding failures, and declining church attendance in the West. In Africa, however, churches continue to thrive, often clashing with the more liberal stance of the Church of England.
In her first statement after her appointment, Mullally pledged to lead with “humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to reconciliation.”
A New Chapter
Her appointment signals the most dramatic step yet in the Church’s journey toward inclusion since women were first ordained priests in 1994 and later consecrated as bishops in 2015. Now, for the first time in history, a woman holds the highest Anglican office—a development that is sure to spark debate but also marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the global church.
For Ugandan Anglicans, Dame Sarah Mullally’s leadership will be closely watched as she assumes responsibility not just for England, but for the spiritual guidance of millions of faithful across Africa and the world.
