Dame Sarah Mullally’s historic appointment as the new Archbishop of Canterbury has ignited both celebration and controversy across the global Anglican Communion.

Previously the Bishop of London and a former nurse, Mullally becomes the first woman to serve in the top leadership role of the Anglican Church, a development met with both hope and resistance across the 85-million-member denomination, as Breitbart reports.

The Church of England announced Mullally’s appointment nearly a year after the previous Archbishop stepped down due to a scandal involving failures in dealing with child safeguarding issues. At 63, Mullally was already the first woman to serve as Bishop of London, the church’s third-highest post. She was installed in that role in May 2018 after her nomination in late 2017.

The Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury serves not only as the symbolic head of the Church of England but also as the chief spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion. The Communion claims roughly 85 million members in 165 countries and includes major regional bodies such as the Episcopal Church in the United States.

Mullally was selected by the Crown Nominations Commission, a 14-member body responsible for recommending candidates to the prime minister. The Commission, chaired by a former head of MI5, presented its choice to the prime minister, who is required to advise King Charles III, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, for final confirmation.

Critics Voice Concern Over Theological Direction

While many have hailed Mullally’s promotion as a step forward for gender equality within ecclesiastical leadership, her appointment has reignited longstanding theological divides. Her liberal stance on issues such as LGBTQ+ inclusion and women's ordination has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from conservative Anglican groups in Africa and Asia.

The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, widely known as GAFCON, released a statement expressing deep disappointment over the decision. The group, which includes some of the most populous Anglican churches in the Global South, warned that the Archbishop's role may now lack the legitimacy to unify the Communion.

“Due to the failure of successive Archbishops of Canterbury to guard the faith, the office can no longer function as a credible leader of Anglicans,” read part of the GAFCON statement. The group also highlighted opposition to Mullally’s theological positions, referring to them as “unbiblical and revisionist teachings.”

Background as a Nurse and Social Advocate

Before entering ordained ministry, Mullally built a career as a nurse and eventually a senior health official within the National Health Service. She has brought that perspective into her ministry, often engaging with political and social matters that intersect with faith.

She has taken positions on several hot-button issues, including immigration and same-sex relationships. Mullally signed a joint letter opposing the deportation of migrants and led a commission on blessing same-sex unions in the church, which she described as offering “a moment of hope.”

Her views on abortion have shifted over time. In 2012, she described her stance as leaning toward “pro-choice” in public policy, though more “pro-life” concerning her personal beliefs. This nuanced position has sparked discussion within the wider Christian community.

Reaction Signals Potential Global Rift

The Anglican Communion has been wrestling with internal disagreements for decades, particularly related to gender roles and sexuality. Some member churches, especially in the West, have embraced reforms, while others insist on traditional interpretations of Scripture.

GAFCON's response to Mullally’s new role suggests a schism may be imminent. The organization has announced plans to convene a major gathering of “faithful Anglicans” in Nigeria in 2026 to address the theological and organizational consequences of her appointment.

In its formal remarks, the group expressed regret over her elevation and referenced a vow she made at her own consecration as bishop to “banish and drive away all strange and erroneous doctrine.” GAFCON alleges she has failed to uphold that commitment in her support for LGBT inclusion and revised teachings on marriage.

Historic Milestone After Decades of Reform

Mullally's appointment crowns a multi-decade movement within the Church of England to open leadership to women. The church began ordaining women as priests in 1994, and the first female bishop was consecrated in 2015.

The rise of a woman to her highest office is viewed by supporters as a natural progression of those reforms. For others, particularly traditionalists, it marks a departure from historic Anglican teachings and could destabilize the already fragile unity of the international Communion.

Despite criticism, Mullally has not shied away from her views. In her work on same-sex blessings and immigration, she has emphasized compassion and faithfulness to what she sees as the Gospel's central message of love and inclusion.

Future of Anglican Communion Remains Uncertain

As she steps into her new role, Mullally inherits not just a spiritual office but also a fractured and politically sensitive global institution. The challenge lies in bridging deep doctrinal divisions while guiding the Communion through a period of moral and structural reevaluation.

Supporters are hopeful she will bring a pastoral touch to the leadership position and address key social justice issues. Critics insist the Communion strays further from its biblical foundations with each step into culturally liberal territory.

With tensions rising and summit plans already underway, the future of the Anglican Communion under Mullally’s leadership is anything but certain. Her tenure begins at a pivotal, and potentially turbulent, moment in Anglican history.