In Church of England, Sarah Mullally officially becomes Archbishop of Canterbury

Sarah Mullally during the ceremony formally installing her as Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury, March 25, 2026. Photo: AP Photo

On March 25, 2026, Sarah Mullally was formally installed as Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral, becoming the first woman to hold the post in the history of the Church of England and the spiritual leader of more than 85 million Anglicans worldwide, Euronews reports.

The solemn ceremony was attended by around two thousand people, including members of the British royal family and the country’s political leadership. In keeping with tradition, Mullally knocked three times on the cathedral doors before entering, and then took her seat on the cathedra, symbolizing her ministry as the spiritual head of the Anglican world.

Mullally’s appointment comes at a time of deep crisis in the Church of England following the resignation of her predecessor, Justin Welby, who faced criticism over abuse scandals. The new primate said that one of her main priorities would be ensuring safety within the Church and supporting victims.

At the same time, her views have drawn criticism from the conservative wing of the Anglican world. Mullally is known for supporting a more liberal approach to a number of issues, including attitudes toward LGBT people and discussion of abortion, which her opponents say reflects a departure from traditional Christian teaching.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that in March 2026, Anglicans in the Global South announced a break with Canterbury and the creation of their own governing body, further deepening the split within the Anglican Communion and calling the Church’s former unity into question.

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