Former female Devon Bishop to become Archbishop of Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally, 63, has been named as the next Archbishop of Canterbury designate - the first woman to hold the role in the Church of England.

Currently serving as Bishop of London, Dame Sarah was the first female bishop in the Diocese of Exeter, where she served as Bishop of Crediton from 2015 to 2018, covering the north and east of Devon.

Ordained in 2001, she began her ministry in the Diocese of Southwark before becoming Canon Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral in 2012. Three years later, she was appointed Suffragan Bishop of Crediton. In 2018, she moved to the Diocese of London, one of the most senior posts in the Church of England. Earlier this year, she consecrated her successor, the Rt. Rev’d Moira Astin, as Bishop of Crediton at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Bishop Moira said:
“I’m delighted to hear that Bishop Sarah has been appointed as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, especially as she consecrated me a bishop in the summer and was my predecessor-but-one as Bishop of Crediton here in Devon. Part of my delight is that she has experience of both urban and rural churches and communities, and so I am confident that when she leads the church in this nation she will have on her heart our villages as well as our towns and cities.”

The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison, praised the appointment:
“I am delighted to see Bishop Sarah appointed to this hugely significant role of Archbishop of Canterbury. Sarah is held in great affection in Devon where she served as the first female Bishop of Crediton with great wisdom and pastoral sensitivity. Her gifts were clear to many of us then and we are not surprised to see her chosen for London, and now Canterbury. We look forward to working with her in proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel in word and service and will be holding her in prayer as she takes on such a wide and demanding set of responsibilities.”

The Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt. Rev’d James Grier, added:
“In the midst of the surprise it feels like many people aren’t surprised. For those of us who have worked with Sarah her exceptional gifts have been evident. The role of archbishop is beyond demanding and yet Sarah has consistently demonstrated her ability to go above and beyond expectations. And she always does this with a smile on her face and a wonderful warmth and love for people. She was my bishop for five years and a pleasure to work with and for. I look forward to serving with her as our archbishop. Sarah may not be a true Devonian, but as Bishop of Crediton, she was taken to the hearts of people across Devon, as she took them to her heart. We will certainly be claiming her as one of us now! My prayers are with her and her husband Eamonn at this time.”

The Rt. Rev’d Robert Atwell, former Bishop of Exeter who appointed her to Crediton in 2015, described her as “a woman of practical faith and warm compassion who enjoyed the respect and affection of all,” adding:
“She started her working life as a nurse and her instinctive care for the needy continues to be a hallmark of her ministry as a bishop. It was a privilege to have worked with her and my prayers go with her as she now moves to Canterbury.”

Before ordination, Dame Sarah had a distinguished career in nursing, becoming the youngest ever Chief Nursing Officer for the government. She was made a Dame in recognition of her contribution to healthcare.

Dr Simon Harrison, Head of Pastoral & Spiritual Care at Royal Devon University Hospital, where Dame Sarah oversaw healthcare chaplaincy during her time in Exeter, said:
“I was both surprised and delighted with news of our former Bishop of Crediton being appointed as Archbishop. When she was with us here in Devon, Sarah had responsibility for healthcare chaplaincy among many other areas. She was responsive, insightful, enthusiastic and compassionate in how she related to us. One can only hope that she carries these gifts into her wider role for the whole of the Anglican communion.”

She was also deeply involved in safeguarding in the Diocese of Exeter. The Rev’d Phill Parker, Team Rector of the Ashburton and Moorland Mission Community, recalled working with her on the diocesan safeguarding team:
“It was my privilege to serve alongside her in the cause of improving safeguarding in this diocese, and she acted with such commitment and compassion in the pursuit of the Church demonstrating better care for vulnerable people and survivors. In the years since, I have been pleased to see that same character demonstrated as Bishop of London, particularly in her passionate speeches in the House of Lords, where she has spoken out for those without a voice. In a church that has been rocked by safeguarding scandal, I look forward to serving under the leadership of an archbishop who fully understands how integral doing Safeguarding well is to the mission and ministry of this Church.”

A date for Dame Sarah’s formal consecration as Archbishop of Canterbury is yet to be confirmed.