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Dame Sarah Mullally has been selected as the new Archbishop of Canterbury designate - making history as the initial female to be picked for this prestigious role.

A former NHS chief nurse, the 63-year-old became a priest in 2006 and was appointed as the first female Bishop of London in 2018 - the third most senior member of clergy in the Anglican Church.

This signifies the initial occasion in almost five centuries of history that the Anglican Communion has chosen a female to lead it.

Historic Appointment

The Church has been lacking an individual in the top job for approximately twelve months after Justin Welby stepped down over a safeguarding scandal.

He stepped down following a critical investigation into a prolific child abuser associated with 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 assumed most of the former Archbishop's duties in an interim move, and was among those casting ballots of the committee charged with selecting his replacement.

Official Process

Following established custom, the procedure of choosing a new archbishop involves a candidate being presented to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then forwarded to the monarch.

The Prime Minister has welcomed the selection of Dame Sarah, commenting: "The Archbishop of Canterbury will serve an important function in our country's affairs. I wish her every success and anticipate collaborating."

Although formally, the monarch is head of the Anglican Church, the person holding the role of spiritual leader is the highest-ranking cleric and is the religious guide of the Church and the global Anglican community.

Monarchical and Global Reaction

King Charles III has praised Dame Sarah on her new role, "a position of great significance in the United Kingdom and across the worldwide Anglican community", the royal household said.

The international conservative Anglican group, which advocates for traditional positions, has criticised the appointment, saying that although some will welcome it, "most members of the global church still maintains that the Bible requires a all-male bishopric."

Transition Period

She does not legally take on her new role until a formal approval process in the new year, and an enthronement service comes subsequently, after they have paid homage to the King.

In a declaration on the announcement day after her new role was confirmed, she said: "I know this is a significant undertaking but I approach it with a feeling of calm and trust in God to support me as He always has."

Addressing media at the historic church, she said that "during a period that seeks absolute answers and tribalism, the Anglican tradition provides a more subtle approach but more resilient."

Addressing Violence

Addressing the "horrific violence" of Thursday's attack on a synagogue in Manchester, she said "we are witnessing hatred that rises up through fractures across our communities."

She added: "The religious community have a responsibility to be a people who support the Jewish people against antisemitism in every manifestation. Prejudice and discrimination of all types cannot be allowed to divide our society."

Professional History

Married with two children, she devoted more than three decades in the NHS, becoming the most junior person to serve as chief nurse for the country in 1999.

Although she was volunteering in the religious community at the period, it was just a short time after that she decided to become a clergy member and was quickly tasked with helping make reforms in the way the institution dealt with abuse.

In 2012 she became financial administrator at Salisbury Cathedral before becoming diocesan leader in the regional church administration in 2015.

As London's religious leader she was regarded as someone who applied her background as an health service manager to help modernise the church district.

Personal Philosophy

"I am often asked what it has been like to have had two careers, first in the NHS and now in the religious institution.

"I like to consider that I have consistently maintained one vocation: to follow Jesus Christ, to understand his teachings and to share his message, continually striving to demonstrate empathy in the assistance to people, whether as a nurse, a religious leader, or a bishop."

Future Challenges

Perhaps the most urgent thing in her in-tray is still to develop improved approaches towards dealing with abuse and approaching with greater empathy those affected by it.

There has also been a reduction 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 preceding Archbishop.

When legislation was passed in the House of Commons, she described it as "impractical and dangerous and creates danger to the most vulnerable people in our society."

Modern Positions

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 characterized the decision to ultimately permit clergy to bless same-sex couples in 2023 as "an optimistic development for the Church."

A former Archbishop, described her position as necessitating a "awareness of current affairs and a understanding of scripture."

Dr Williams told media outlets "the expectation of having an opinion on everything is quite heavy."