Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Dame Sarah Mullally has made history as the first woman to be confirmed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, officially becoming the 106th person to hold the position during a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral steeped in centuries-old traditions. She takes over following the resignation of her predecessor, Justin Welby, who stepped down amid criticism over his handling of abuse allegations within the Church. Speaking about her new role, Dame Sarah pledged to confront misogyny wherever it appears within the Church and emphasized her commitment to safeguarding.
The confirmation event was both a religious service and a legal ritual, incorporating formal elements that date back to the 16th century, highlighting the enduring heritage of the Church of England. During the ceremony, a brief disruption occurred when a heckler was removed from the cathedral. As the proceedings unfolded, voices from across the Anglican Communion, including readings in Portuguese and hymns from South Africa, symbolized the global nature of the Church and those Dame Sarah is called to serve. Previously serving as the Bishop of London since 2018 and having a background as England’s chief nursing officer, Dame Sarah reflected on her experiences with misogyny, stating, “It is fair to say that I have, both in my secular role, as well as in the Church, experienced misogyny at times.” She stressed the importance of openly addressing such issues, committing to creating a safer and more inclusive Church environment.
Dame Sarah’s appointment brings new challenges as she leads a Church still navigating significant divisions around theology and gender. Although women have been ordained as priests since the 1990s and have served as bishops for over a decade, some male bishops remain opposed to the ordination of women, a stance that Dame Sarah will now have to manage. This has caused discontent among certain traditionalist Anglican communities abroad, some of whom have threatened to leave the Communion in response to her election. Dame Sarah acknowledged the difficulties some people may have with her being the first female archbishop, expressing, “I would, above all, want them to understand that I do hear their concerns and where they’re coming from.”
Aside from questions about her gender, Dame Sarah has faced scrutiny regarding her record on safeguarding. Critics argue that the Church’s response to abuse allegations under her watch has been inadequate and have raised concerns about her personal involvement in a particular case during her time as Bishop of London. She has accepted the need for transparency, stating, “All of us should be open to having the light shone on what we do, and I recognise rightly that there is greater scrutiny on me and the actions that I have undertaken, and I reiterate my commitment to safeguarding. I also commit to ensuring that we have independence.” Although investigations cleared her of wrongdoing, some victim advocates remain uneasy with processes they view as lacking sufficient independence. Looking forward, Dame Sarah promised to maintain vigilance on safeguarding issues. While she became Archbishop of Canterbury legally, she will begin most of her public duties after her formal installation on 25 March, with upcoming responsibilities including leading the Church’s General Synod in February. Among the pressing topics at Synod will be the failed attempt to introduce blessings for same-sex couples—a matter on which Dame Sarah has expressed her desire to listen carefully and foster unity, quoting an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Before her installation, she will also pay her respects to the King, who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, a meeting during which she shared her vision of pastoral care and hope amidst contemporary challenges
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.