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Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the the primate of the Church of England (equivalent to the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States); but perhaps more importantly, the honorary spiritual head of the entire Anglican Communion.
Last week, Bishop Sarah Mullally, who has served as the Bishop of London since 2018, was been named the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. She will be the first woman to hold the role, which was established more than 1,400 years ago.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, as the most senior bishop in the Church of England, is seen as an “instrument of communion” among the 42 autonomous, interdependent provinces that make up the 85-million-member Anglican Communion, all of which, including The Episcopal Church, have historic ties with the Church of England.
Mullally’s nomination was approved by King Charles III, a largely ceremonial step in a process overseen by the Church of England, though her selection followed months of deliberation by the Crown Nominations Commission with input from Anglicans around the world. The selection now must be ratified by the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral later this year and confirmed at a ceremony in January, after which she will take office.
Mullally, 63, has served as the bishop of London since 2018. She was ordained to the priesthood in 2001 after a career as a nurse treating cancer patients. An installation service for the new archbishop of Canterbury is scheduled for March 2026 at Canterbury Cathedral.
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