Church of England names first female Archbishop of Canterbury


  • World
  • Friday, 03 Oct 2025

A wall tablet dedicated to Charles Thomas Longley, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury between 1862-1868, is displayed at Canterbury cathedral in Canterbury, Britain, September 26, 2025. REUTERS/Muvija M

CANTERBURY, England (Reuters) -The Church of England named Sarah Mullally on Friday as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to serve as ceremonial head of Anglican Christianity worldwide, prompting immediate criticism from conservative church leaders in Africa.

The 63-year-old bishop, who once served as England's top nurse, will, like her predecessors, face a Communion divided between conservatives and more liberal Christians over the role of women in the Church and the acceptance of same-sex couples.

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