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 chosen for this prestigious role.
Previously England's chief nursing officer, the sixty-three-year-old became a priest in 2006 and was named as the initial woman to serve as Bishop of London in 2018 - occupying the third highest position of religious leadership in the Church of England.
This marks the initial occasion in almost five centuries of history that the Church has nominated a woman to lead it.
Historic Appointment
The Anglican Church has been lacking an individual in the leading position for almost a year after the previous Archbishop stepped down over a protection controversy.
He stepped down following a damning report into a serial offender associated with the religious institution. The investigation found that he "was able and obligated" have reported John Smyth's abuse of boys and young men to law enforcement in 2013.
The Archbishop of York took on most of the former Archbishop's responsibilities in an interim move, and was among those casting ballots of the body tasked with selecting his replacement.
Official Procedure
In line with tradition, the process of selecting a spiritual leader involves a candidate being given to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then passed to the sovereign.
The Prime Minister has applauded the selection of Dame Sarah, commenting: "This position will play a key role in our national life. I offer my best wishes and anticipate collaborating."
While, technically, the King is leader of the Church of England, 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 International Reaction
King Charles III has congratulated the new Archbishop on her appointment, "which is of such importance in the UK and across the worldwide Anglican community", Buckingham Palace stated.
The international conservative Anglican group, which represents conservative views, has questioned the selection, saying that although certain groups support the decision, "the majority of the global church still maintains that the scriptures requires a male-only episcopacy."
Transition Period
She does not legally take on her new role until a confirmation of election in the new year, and an enthronement service comes subsequently, after they have pledged allegiance to the monarch.
In a declaration on Friday after her new role was finalized, she said: "I know this is a significant undertaking but I undertake it with a feeling of calm and trust in God to support me as has consistently occurred."
Addressing media at Canterbury Cathedral, she noted that "during a period that craves certainty and group identity, the Anglican tradition offers something quieter but stronger."
Addressing Violence
Addressing the "terrible attack" of Thursday's attack on a Jewish house of worship in the northern city, she said "we observe prejudice that emerges through divisions across our society."
She continued: "We then as a Church have a duty to be a people who stand with the Jewish people against antisemitism in all its forms. Hatred and racism of all types cannot be allowed to divide our society."
Background and Career
A mother of two, 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 period, it was just a short time after that she decided to become a priest and was quickly tasked with helping make reforms in the way the organization addressed abuse.
In that year she became financial administrator at the historic church before becoming diocesan leader in the regional church administration in 2015.
As Bishop of London she was seen as someone who used her experience as an NHS administrator to help modernise the diocese.
Personal Philosophy
"I am often asked what it has been like to have had two careers, initially in the health service and currently in the religious institution.
"I prefer to think that I have always had one vocation: to follow Jesus Christ, to know him and to share his message, always seeking to demonstrate empathy in the assistance to people, whether as a nurse, a priest, or a church official."
Future Challenges
Perhaps the pressing issue in her agenda is still to develop improved approaches towards addressing abuse and treating with more compassion those impacted by such incidents.
There has also been a decline in church attendance, though the capital has to some extent resisted this pattern.
A particular subject she has been most outspoken about is assisted dying - she is a vociferous opponent, as was her predecessor.
When legislation was passed in the House of Commons, she described it as "unworkable and unsafe and creates danger to the most vulnerable people in our community."
Progressive Stances
One of her roles as London's religious leader was to chair a body trying to guide the religious institution's determination on whether to bless same-sex marriages.
She described the determination to finally allow priests to sanction gay relationships in 2023 as "an optimistic development for the religious community."
Rowan Williams, summarised her position as requiring a "newspaper in one hand and a understanding of scripture."
Dr Williams told media outlets "the pressure of having an opinion on everything is significantly demanding."
