First female Anglican Archbishop has challenges awaiting her

by Admin · October 5, 2025

Sarah Mullally Abp of Canterbury. Photo: Wikipedia

By Fr Peter Chimombe – Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the first female Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury in over 1400 years, replacing the retired Archbishop Justin Welby. She will be installed in March 2026 as the spiritual head of over 85 million Anglicans worldwide.

Mullally was appointed by the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral, and her appointment was approved by King Charles III. This marks a historic milestone for the Church of England. Mullally (63), a former nurse and a mother, was formerly the Bishop of London since 2018, having been ordained a Priest in 2002.

The new Archbishop faces a monumental task of uniting the Church in the years ahead. The Anglican communion, rocked by sex abuse scandals, is already divided over the issues of women’s ordination and same sex relationships. Conservative Anglican leaders in African countries like Nigeria and Zimbabwe have expressed opposition to her appointment.

Many people in Zimbabwe would remember the highly politicised feud orchestrated by Archbishop Kunonga, who broke away from the Mother Church of England over such issues. Women’s ordination and same sex marriage remain the elephant in the room, whose repercussions include declining Church attendance in the Anglican church, with many of their members joining the Catholic Church. Thus, the new Archbishop faces a herculean task in the months and years ahead.

Why should we as Catholics be interested in all this? Going back through the annals of history, the Anglican church is our closest ecumenical neighbour in the World Council of Churches ever since King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church over the issue of adultery. Many English martyrs like Thomas More and John Fisher are remembered for their courage in refusing to endorse the King’s decision. Fast forward to 1986, Pope John Paul convened the first ecumenical gathering of Religious leaders at Assisi in Italy to pray for World peace and ecumenical fellowship. Among the religious leaders present were the Dalai Lama, the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury and Orthodox Patriarchs.

For all the ecumenical strides achieved over the decades, it is my humble submission that issues like women’s ordination and same sex relationships continue to be the twig that breaks the Camel’s back.