The Church of England has appointed Sarah Mullally as the next archbishop of Canterbury, marking the first time a woman has held the Church’s highest position.
At 63, Mullally will lead the 85-million-strong global Anglican Communion, navigating ongoing divisions over issues like women’s roles in the Church and same-sex relationships. She succeeds Justin Welby, who stepped down last year amid a scandal involving the cover-up of child abuse.
The new archbishop addressed congregants for the first time at Canterbury Cathedral on Friday and spoke of the hope she saw in the world despite uncertain times.
Mullally said her first calling is to follow Christ and spread his message, but she also used her speech to address issues in the United Kingdom, including migration and the deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday, which killed two people.
“We are witnessing hatred that rises up through fractures across our communities,” Mullally said.
“I know that the God who is with us draws near to those who suffer. We then, as a Church, have a responsibility to be a people who stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism in all its forms. Hatred and racism of any kind cannot be allowed to tear us apart,” she added.
Criticism
Mullally’s appointment drew criticism from conservative Anglican churches in Africa on account of her gender.
The Global Anglican Future Conference, which includes bishops from Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda, said the appointment of Mullally would further split the Church because she “promoted unbiblical and revisionist teachings regarding marriage and sexual morality.”
“Though there are some who will welcome the decision to appoint Bishop Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, the majority of the Anglican Communion still believes that the Bible requires a male-only episcopacy,” the Reverend Laurent Mbanda said in a statement for the group.
The Church of England’s evangelical wing called for a stop to what it referred to as a drift away from scripture.
Mullally, who has been bishop of London since 2018, has previously championed blessings for same-sex couples.
The Vatican congratulated Mullally and wished her well. King Charles III approved Mullally’s nomination and offered his congratulations.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
