His Majesty The King has approved the nomination of the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, Downing Street has announced.
The 106th Archbishop of Canterbury since Saint Augustine arrived in Kent from Rome in 597, Bishop Sarah will be the first woman to hold the office.
In recognition of the announcement, bishops in the Diocese of Leicester made the following statements:
The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, The Lord Bishop of Leicester, said: “We warmly welcome the appointment of Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury and assure her of our prayers as she prepares to take up this hugely demanding position. May she have wisdom and grace in leading our church in this next season of our common life.”
The Rt Revd Saju Muthalaly, The Bishop of Loughborough, said: “Today, we welcome the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, with gratitude and hope. This calling is no small thing - it requires courage, prayer, and a heart wide enough to encompass the world. I thank God that Sarah said “yes.”
“Sarah carries our prayers as she steps into this ministry of service and leadership. We look forward to walking together in the Gospel, joining God’s work of hope, justice, and reconciliation.”