Sarah Mullally praises women as she becomes first female Archbishop of Canterbury

Sarah Mullally thanked “all the women that have gone before me” as she became the first ever female Archbishop of Canterbury. On Friday (3 October), the former chief nursing officer for England was announced as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, replacing Justin Welby, who resigned last November. Speaking at Canterbury Cathedral following the announcement, she reflected that some “will be asking what it means for a woman to lead the Church of England and take on the arch bishop of Canterbury in a global role”. She said that she “intends to be a shepherd” who encourages “ministry and vocation to flourish, whatever the tradition”. Mullally went on to thank women who have come before her for their “support and inspiration”.