Photo: Bishop Sarah Mullally has been announced as the next Archbishop of Canterbury (Credit: Church of England)
Over the last six months, the Crown Nominations Committee has been prayerfully meeting to seek God’s guidance as to who should be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
As part of the process of discernment, and to help the committee better understand the qualities needed for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, a public consultation ran alongside consultation with key stakeholders from in and around the Church, including the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Today (Friday 3 October), that process came to an end with the historic announcement that Dame Sarah Mullally is to be the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
In welcoming Archbishop-designate Sarah, Bishop Jonathan Gibbs, the Bishop of Rochester, offered his heartfelt prayers and congratulations, saying:
"I am delighted to learn of the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
“Bishop Sarah has shown distinguished leadership in the Diocese of London and in the House of Bishops and I warmly welcome, and celebrate, her appointment.
“I look forward to working with her closely here in Kent, and nationally, and offer her, and her husband Eamonn, my prayers and good wishes as she takes on this significant calling.”
Bishop Sarah is expected to be installed in a service at Canterbury Cathedral on 25th March 2026.
- Read the announcement from the Church of England
- A prayer for the new Archbishop of Canterbury:
