The Church of England announced the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the first woman to hold the position of Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first female in the church's history since its establishment in 1534.
On 26 March 2026, the Church of England held the installation ceremony for the new Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral, attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
In her speech, Reverend Mullally, a former nurse in the National Health Service, pledged to stand up for victims of past abuse and emphasized the importance of protection measures and accountability within religious organizations, insisting that the pain of victims must not be overlooked or diminished.
This appointment followed Justin Welby's resignation amid severe criticism over the handling of sexual abuse cover-up cases. However, Mullally herself has faced criticism for her position on a UK parliamentary bill concerning the decriminalization of late-term abortion. She stated she opposes prosecuting women but does not support increasing late-term abortions. Currently, UK law permits abortion up to 24 weeks under certain conditions, while the bill remains under review in the House of Lords.
Although the political role of the Archbishop of Canterbury has diminished compared to the past, the position still holds some influence, including a seat in the House of Lords alongside senior bishops and involvement in the country's legislative process. This appointment is historically significant for gender equality and represents a crucial test for religious leadership amid intense social and political pressures.