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Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the incoming spiritual leader of the Church of England - creating a milestone as the first woman to be selected for this important office.

A former NHS chief nurse, the sixty-three-year-old entered the priesthood in 2006 and was named as the first female Bishop of London in 2018 - occupying the third highest position of clergy in the Anglican Church.

This marks the first time in almost five centuries of history that the Anglican Communion has selected a woman to lead it.

Groundbreaking Selection

The Church has been lacking an individual in the senior role for approximately twelve months after the previous Archbishop resigned over a protection controversy.

He departed following a damning report into a prolific child abuser linked to the religious institution. The investigation found that he "could and should" have notified authorities about the misconduct by John Smyth of boys and young men to police in 2013.

The Archbishop of York took on most of the former Archbishop's responsibilities in an temporary arrangement, and was among those casting ballots of the committee tasked with choosing his successor.

Official Process

In line with tradition, the process of choosing a new archbishop involves a name being given to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then passed to the sovereign.

The Prime Minister has welcomed Dame Sarah's appointment, stating: "This position will play a key role in our national life. I offer my best wishes and look forward to collaborating."

While, technically, the monarch is leader of the Anglican Church, the person holding the position of spiritual leader is the highest-ranking cleric and is the religious guide of the religious institution and the global Anglican community.

Monarchical and Global Reaction

King Charles III has congratulated Dame Sarah on her new role, "which is of such importance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion", Buckingham Palace announced.

The international conservative Anglican group, which represents conservative views, has criticised the appointment, stating that although some will welcome it, "the majority of the Anglican Communion still maintains that the scriptures requires a male-only episcopacy."

Transition Period

She does not legally take on her position until a formal approval process in January, and an enthronement service comes subsequently, after they have paid homage to the monarch.

In a statement on Friday after her appointment was finalized, she commented: "I recognize this is a huge responsibility but I approach it with a feeling of calm and faith in divine guidance to carry me as has consistently occurred."

Speaking from Canterbury Cathedral, she noted that "in an age that craves certainty and tribalism, the Anglican tradition provides a more subtle approach but more resilient."

Addressing Violence

Addressing the "horrific violence" of Thursday's attack on a Jewish house of worship in the northern city, she stated "we observe prejudice that rises up through fractures across our society."

She continued: "We then as a Church have a duty to be a group who stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism in all its forms. Prejudice and discrimination of any kind cannot be permitted to tear us apart."

Professional History

Married with two children, she spent over 35 years in the National Health Service, becoming the most junior person to serve as chief nurse for the country in 1999.

While serving voluntarily in the Church at the time, it was just a few years later that she decided to become a clergy member and was promptly assigned helping implement changes in the way the organization dealt with misconduct.

In 2012 she became canon treasurer at the historic church before becoming diocesan leader in the diocese of Exeter in 2015.

As London's religious leader she was seen as someone who used her experience as an NHS administrator to help modernise the diocese.

Personal Philosophy

"People frequently inquire what it has been like to have had two careers, first in the health service and currently in the Church.

"I like to consider that I have consistently maintained a single calling: to follow Jesus Christ, to know him and to share his message, continually striving to live with compassion in the assistance to people, whether as a nurse, a priest, or a bishop."

Future Challenges

Possibly the most urgent thing in her agenda is still to chart a better path towards dealing with misconduct and approaching with greater empathy those affected by it.

There has also been a reduction in church attendance, though London has to a degree resisted this pattern.

One of the areas she has been particularly vocal on is assisted dying - she is a strong critic, as was her predecessor.

When legislation was passed in the Commons, she described it as "impractical and dangerous and creates danger to the most at-risk individuals in our community."

Progressive Stances

Among her responsibilities as Bishop of London was to chair a committee trying to steer the religious institution's determination on whether to sanction gay unions.

She described the decision to finally allow priests to bless same-sex couples in 2023 as "a moment of hope for the Church."

A former Archbishop, summarised her position as necessitating a "newspaper in one hand and a understanding of scripture."

Dr Williams told media outlets "the expectation of having an position on all matters is quite heavy."