Sarah Mullally enthroned as first female archbishop of Canterbury

Sarah Mullally was formally installed as the Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the Church of England. The ceremony, attended by 2,000 guests including Prince William, Princess Kate, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, marked the symbolic start of her ministry as the spiritual head of the global Anglican Communion. Mullally, a former nurse, delivered her inaugural sermon, praying for peace and acknowledging past safeguarding failures within the church that led to her predecessor's resignation. She emphasized a commitment to truth, compassion, and justice. The installation included symbolic acts like knocking on the cathedral door and prayers in multiple languages.

Sarah Mullally was formally installed as the first female archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral. In her first sermon, she acknowledged the pain inflicted on abuse victims and survivors by the Church of England, pledging commitment to truth, compassion, and justice. The ceremony, attended by dignitaries including the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Prime Minister, marked Mullally's assumption of leadership over the Church of England and the global Anglican church. Mullally's predecessor, Justin Welby, resigned after criticism regarding his handling of abuse allegations. The service followed a six-day pilgrimage Mullally made on foot from London to Canterbury.

Sarah Mullally, a 63-year-old former nurse, was enthroned as the Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday, becoming the first woman to lead the Anglican community. The historic ceremony took place at Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England, attended by approximately 2,000 people, including Prince William and Princess Catherine. Mullally's installation follows the departure of her predecessor due to an abuse scandal. The ceremony included traditional elements, such as Mullally knocking on the cathedral's west door to request entry and being greeted by local schoolchildren. As the new Archbishop, she now leads the mother church of the 85 million-member Anglican community worldwide.