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Dame Sarah Mullally has been selected as the incoming spiritual leader of the Church of England - making history as the initial female to be chosen for this significant position.

A former NHS chief nurse, the sixty-three-year-old became a priest in 2006 and was appointed as the first female Bishop of London in 2018 - occupying the third highest position of clergy in the Church of England.

This represents the initial occasion in nearly 500 years of history that the Anglican Communion has chosen a female to guide its direction.

Groundbreaking Appointment

The Church has been lacking an individual in the leading position for almost a year after Justin Welby resigned over a protection controversy.

He resigned following a critical investigation into a prolific child abuser linked to the religious institution. The investigation found that he "could and should" have reported John Smyth's abuse of male youths to police in 2013.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell took on most of the former Archbishop's duties in an interim move, and was among those casting ballots of the body charged with selecting his replacement.

Political Process

In line with tradition, the process of selecting a new archbishop involves a candidate being presented to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then passed to the monarch.

The Prime Minister has applauded Dame Sarah's appointment, saying: "This position will serve an important function in our country's affairs. I offer my best wishes and anticipate working together."

Although formally, the monarch is leader of the Church of England, the person holding the position of spiritual leader is the most senior bishop and is the religious guide of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Royal and International Response

The monarch has congratulated Dame Sarah on her new role, "which is of such importance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion", the royal household announced.

The international conservative Anglican group, which advocates for traditional positions, has criticised the appointment, stating that although some will welcome it, "most members of the Anglican Communion still maintains that the scriptures requires a male-only episcopacy."

Transition Period

She will not formally assume her new role until a confirmation of election in the new year, and an enthronement service comes later, after they have pledged allegiance to the King.

In a declaration on the announcement day after her appointment was finalized, she commented: "I recognize this is a huge responsibility but I approach it with a feeling of calm and faith in divine guidance to support me as has consistently occurred."

Addressing media at the historic church, she said that "in an age that craves certainty and tribalism, the Anglican tradition provides a more subtle approach but stronger."

Addressing Violence

Talking about the "terrible attack" of Thursday's attack on a synagogue in the northern city, she said "we are witnessing hatred that emerges through fractures across our communities."

She added: "We then as a Church have a duty to be a people who stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism in every manifestation. Prejudice and discrimination of any kind cannot be allowed to tear us apart."

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.

Although she was volunteering in the Church at the period, it was just a short time after that she decided to become a clergy member and was quickly tasked with helping implement changes in the way the organization dealt with misconduct.

In 2012 she became canon treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral before assuming the role of diocesan leader in the regional church administration in 2015.

As London's religious leader she was seen as someone who applied her background as an NHS administrator to help modernise the church district.

Guiding Principles

"People frequently inquire what it has been like to have had two careers, initially in the NHS and now in the Church.

"I prefer to think that I have consistently maintained a single calling: 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 healthcare professional, a priest, or a bishop."

Upcoming Responsibilities

Perhaps the pressing issue in her agenda is still to develop improved approaches towards addressing misconduct and treating with more compassion those impacted by such incidents.

There has also been a reduction in church attendance, though London has to some extent bucked that trend.

A particular subject she has been particularly vocal on is assisted dying - she is a strong critic, as was her predecessor.

When the law was approved in the Commons, she characterized it as "impractical and dangerous and creates danger to the most vulnerable people in our society."

Progressive Stances

Among her responsibilities as London's religious leader was to lead a body trying to steer the religious institution's determination on whether to sanction gay unions.

She characterized the decision to finally allow priests to bless same-sex couples in last year as "a moment of hope for the Church."

A former Archbishop, summarised her position as necessitating a "newspaper in one hand and a understanding of scripture."

The former spiritual leader explained to media outlets "the pressure of having an position on all matters is quite heavy."