Church of England names first female archbishop of Canterbury | Religion News

Announcement attracts criticism from Anglican church buildings that oppose feminine bishops.

The Church of England has named Sarah Mullally as the following archbishop of Canterbury, the primary lady to be appointed to the Church’s most senior workplace.

Mullally, 63, will grow to be the non secular head of 85 million Anglicans globally, and like her predecessors will face a Communion divided over a number of points, together with the position of ladies within the Church and the acceptance of same-sex {couples}.

Mullally replaces Justin Welby, who resigned because of a baby abuse cover-up scandal final yr.

The brand new archbishop addressed congregants for the primary time at Canterbury Cathedral on Friday and spoke of the hope she noticed on the earth regardless of unsure instances.

Mullally mentioned her first calling is to observe Christ and unfold his message, however she additionally used her speech to deal with points in the UK, together with migration and the lethal assault on a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday, which killed two people.

“We’re witnessing hatred that rises up by fractures throughout our communities,” Mullally mentioned.

“I do know that the God who’s with us attracts close to to those that endure. We then, as a Church, have a accountability to be a individuals who stand with the Jewish group towards antisemitism in all its types. Hatred and racism of any form can’t be allowed to tear us aside,” she added.

Mullally’s appointment drew criticism from conservative Anglican church buildings in Africa on account of her gender.

The World Anglican Future Convention, which incorporates bishops from Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda, mentioned the appointment of Mullally would additional break up the Church as a result of she “promoted unbiblical and revisionist teachings concerning marriage and sexual morality.”

“Although there are some who will welcome the choice to nominate Bishop Mullally as the primary feminine Archbishop of Canterbury, the vast majority of the Anglican Communion nonetheless believes that the Bible requires a male-only episcopacy,” the Reverend Laurent Mbanda mentioned in an announcement for the group.

The Church of England’s evangelical wing known as for a cease to what it known as a drift away from scripture.

Mullally, who has been bishop of London since 2018, has beforehand championed blessings for same-sex {couples}.

The Vatican congratulated Mullally and wished her nicely. King Charles III authorized Mullally’s nomination and supplied his congratulations.

She’s going to formally grow to be the archbishop of Canterbury at a ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral in January 2026.