Church of England appoints first female Archbishop of Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally has been named the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, marking a historic moment for the Church of England after the position was vacant for almost a year following Justin Welby's resignation over a safeguarding scandal. Mullally, the former chief nursing officer for England and current Bishop of London, is set to become the 106th Archbishop, taking on the role of spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Her appointment comes amid ongoing church challenges, including longstanding divisions over women clergy and the Church's handling of abuse cases. The Church of England had faced criticism for allowing traditionalist bishops to remain dissenting, which undermined Church unity and morale. Public consultation involving over 11,000 people emphasized the need for a leader with integrity, compassion, and the ability to address past failures honestly. Mullally's leadership is expected to bring a new era to the Church, confronting past issues while representing a significant step forward for gender equality within the institution.