First woman as head of the Church of England
Sarah Mullally (63), Bishop of London and a former nurse, has been named Archbishop of Canterbury. She will become the first woman to lead the Church of England after the 105 men who previously held the title. British media comment on Mullally's historic appointment.
Journey towards equality completed
For The Guardian, Sarah Mullally's appointment offers a glimmer of hope in dark times:
“As the far right co-opts the symbols of Christianity to promote hostility and intimidation towards perceived outsiders and minorities, Britain's faith movements have a duty to be standard-bearers for an ethos of tolerance, generosity and inclusion. In that context, the historic nomination of Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female archbishop of Canterbury should be seen as a landmark moment. ... Just over three decades after the Church of England ordained the first female priests, her appointment completes a once bitterly contested journey towards equality.”
Archbishop faces numerous obstacles
Mullally won't be welcomed with open arms everywhere, says The Independent:
“There will also be ... several bishops in this country who will not receive Communion from a woman, and plenty within African nations. And given that the Archbishop of Canterbury plays such a significant role in the 85-million-strong worldwide Anglican Communion - not a pope by any means, but primus inter pares among the other primates - this could well be problematic. Some of those protesters may well dislike the support she has previously given for special prayers for same-sex blessings. ... But the biggest shadow hanging over the Church of England remains problems over safeguarding and dealing with child sex abuse cases.”