I am very pleased at the news that Bishop Sarah Mullally, who has served as bishop of London since 2018, has 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. 

Bishop Sarah is known in the Church of England as a wise and steady leader, a faithful advocate for the leadership of women in the church, and a bishop who will be committed to safeguarding vulnerable people and victims of abuse. She is a former nurse who served as the government’s chief nursing officer for England and has dedicated her vocational life to serving those in need. Earlier today, when asked about her two careers, she said, “I prefer to think that I have always had one vocation: to follow Jesus Christ."

In the last several years, Bishop Sarah has led Living in Love and Faith, the Church of England’s process to discuss issues of human sexuality, and called the 2023 decision by that church’s General Synod to bless same-sex couples “a moment of hope.” 

I have written to Bishop Sarah to send my warmest congratulations to her, her husband, Eamonn, and their family, and to tell her how much I look forward to working with her at the primates meeting and across the Anglican Communion. 

Please join me in praying for the Church of England, for all of the primates and churches of the Anglican Communion, and for Bishop Sarah at this momentous time.