A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
The Church of England announced that Bishop
Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, has been nominated to serve as the 106th
Archbishop of Canterbury. When she is installed at Canterbury Cathedral, Bishop
Sarah will be the first woman ever to hold the office in the Church’s
1,500-year history.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most
senior bishop in the Church of England and serves as first among equals for theAnglican Communion–a worldwide body of 85 million members across 165 countries.
In addition to her leadership in the Church, the Archbishop is also one of the
Lords Spiritual in the British House of Lords.
Bishop Sarah is no stranger to ‘firsts.’ She
was the first woman to serve as Bishop of London, one of the most senior
positions in the Church of England, and before entering ordained ministry, she
was the youngest Chief Nursing Officer ever appointed in England. Her career
has consistently been marked by faithful service, pastoral listening, and a
commitment to healing.
Bishop Susan Brown Snook said, “I am
delighted at the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of
Canterbury. In addition to her solid reputation as a faithful and inspiring
church leader, Bishop Sarah has the distinction of serving as the first woman
Archbishop of Canterbury. It is heartwarming to see this kind of affirmation of
the ministry of ordained women at all levels of the church.”
For Bishop Susan, this historic step recalls
the election of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as Presiding Bishop of TheEpiscopal Church in 2006:
“I was a young priest then, and I recall
feeling astonished and gratified that her election affirmed my own calling as
an ordained woman. I felt that her election signified that my church was taking
my ministry seriously. Years later, the appointment of the first woman
Archbishop of Canterbury leads me to give thanks that the ministry of women is
now recognized and affirmed at the very top levels of our worldwide communion
of faith.”
At the same time, Bishop Susan acknowledged
the challenges Bishop Sarah will face as she steps into this historic role.
“Former Archbishop Justin Welby resigned
under a shadow, and Archbishop Sarah will need to address the lingering hurts
and conflicts from that situation. In addition, there is a movement underfoot
to reduce the power and influence of the Archbishop of Canterbury while
increasing the power of the Primates of the 42-member churches of the Anglican
Communion. I do not regard this as a helpful move for our church, and I
recognize that the new Archbishop enters her role at a time when the Anglican
Communion is fractured and conflicted. I pray that Archbishop Sarah will be
able to bring her considerable gifts to bear in bringing unity and a sense of
common mission to the Anglican Communion.”
As we mark this historic moment for the
Anglican Communion, let us remember our call to hold one another in prayer. Let
us pray for Archbishop-designate Sarah Mullally as she prepares for this new
ministry, that God may grant her wisdom, courage, and grace. Let us also lift
up the Anglican Communion, that we may grow in unity and faithful witness to
Christ’s love. And let us pray for our own Episcopal Church, that we may
continue to affirm the ministries of all God’s people and live into the
courageous love to which Christ calls us.