The Archbishop of Canterbury

The Archbishop of Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally has been announced as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, and the first female to hold the role, after a long appointment process following the resignation of former Archbishop, Justin Welby.

Mullally previously held the post of Chief Nursing Officer for England whilst training for ministry. She was the Bishop of Crediton before becoming Bishop of London in 2018.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop of the Church of England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is one of the best-known Christian leaders in the UK, and a figure whose voice is heard far beyond church walls. The office is ancient, stretching back to Augustine of Canterbury in the 6th century, yet it remains a role at the very centre of public life. From speaking in Parliament to leading prayers at coronations, from meeting other world faith leaders to commenting on national debates, the Archbishop holds together history, faith, and public service.

A role shaped by history and symbolism

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop of the Church of England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Their ‘seat’ is Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, but the role is far more than ceremonial. An archbishop preaches, prays, and pastors, whilst also stepping into the spotlight at moments of national importance.

What they wear reflects this mixture of history and symbolism. On formal occasions an Archbishop may be seen in a tall mitre (the pointed headdress), carrying a staff shaped like a shepherd’s crook, symbolising care for the flock. At other times, the simple clerical shirt reminds people that they are a priest first and foremost.

the simple clerical shirt reminds people that they are a priest first and foremost.

Early Archbishops

The very first Archbishop of Canterbury was Augustine of Canterbury, sent by Pope Gregory the Great in 597 AD to bring Christianity to the English people. Augustine established his base in Canterbury and became known as the ‘Apostle to the English’. His mission gave the archbishopric its unique place in English life, both as a religious and cultural anchor.

Later archbishops shaped English history in different ways. Anselm of Canterbury (11th century) was one of the great medieval thinkers, writing about faith and reason in ways still studied today. Thomas Becket (12th century), meanwhile, became famous for clashing with King Henry II over the independence of the church. His murder in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 shocked Europe and turned Canterbury into one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Middle Ages.

the Prime Minister presents one of those names to the monarch, who formally approves the appointment.

These stories show how the office has always been more than symbolic. Archbishops have had to wrestle with power, conscience, and faith in ways that still echo today.

How Is the Archbishop of Canterbury chosen?

The process of appointing an Archbishop is complex, and carefully balanced between church and state.

When a vacancy arises, a body called the Crown Nominations Commission meets. This group includes bishops, clergy, and lay people, along with representatives from the diocese of Canterbury. They interview candidates, pray together, and eventually put forward two names. By long tradition, the Prime Minister presents one of those names to the monarch, who formally approves the appointment.

This mixture of prayerful discussion, democratic representation, and ancient ceremony reflects the unusual place of the Church of England: both a Christian community and the country’s ‘established’ church.

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The public face of Christianity

They are one of 26 bishops who sit in the House of Lords

Archbishops of Canterbury have long been involved in the great questions of public life. They are one of 26 bishops who sit in the House of Lords, where they contribute to, and vote on, debates on issues ranging from poverty and migration to medical ethics. They oversee chaplains in the armed forces, act as patrons of charitable causes, and often speak on behalf of those whose voices are not easily heard.

This can mean treading a careful path. Some welcome an archbishop’s contribution to political discussion; others question whether church leaders should engage in politics at all. Yet many archbishops have seen it as their duty to connect faith with the realities of everyday life.

Recent Archbishops

Traditionally, an Archbishop will step down at retirement age, unless there is reason to leave before. Recent Archbishops of Canterbury have each brought their own emphasis to the office.

It was Justin Welby, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, who placed the crown on the King’s head, continuing the tradition starting in 1066.

• Justin Welby (2013–2025), formerly an oil industry executive before becoming a priest, was selected for his combination of practical experience and deep Christian conviction. He made reconciliation and peacemaking central themes, engaging in international conflicts as well as national debates on issues like poverty and economic justice. Welby stepped down after facing mounting pressure, when it came to light that he had failed to investigate prolific child abuser, John Smyth in 2013.

• Rowan Williams (2002–2012), a respected theologian, was chosen for his intellectual depth. His time in office was shaped by debates within the Anglican Communion over sexuality and unity, which he tried to navigate with gentleness, though often at personal cost.

The Archbishop in the news

The Archbishop’s role is not limited to church circles. News headlines have featured archbishops speaking about climate change, the refugee crisis, or the ethics of new technologies. At times, they have clashed with governments over policies seen to harm the vulnerable. At other times, their words of comfort, such as after terrorist attacks or during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been welcomed far beyond the Christian community.

The coronation of King Charles III in 2023 was another reminder of the Archbishop’s unique position. It was Justin Welby, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, who placed the crown on the King’s head, continuing the tradition starting in 1066. Yet even here, change is visible: alongside the ancient Christian liturgy, leaders from other world faiths were invited to take part, reflecting the multi-faith society of the UK today.

Faith, public life and other faiths

Engagement with other religions has become an increasingly important part of the archbishop’s role.

Engagement with other religions has become an increasingly important part of the archbishop’s role. Meetings with Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist leaders are regular, often focused on shared concerns such as peace, justice, or climate change. These encounters are reminders that while the Archbishop of Canterbury speaks as a Christian, they also carry a responsibility to represent faith more broadly in public life.

This balance between ancient tradition and present reality, church duties and public service, Christian conviction and respect for other beliefs, is what makes the office so distinctive.

A role both human and symbolic

Ultimately, the Archbishop of Canterbury is both a very human figure - a priest with personal strengths and weaknesses - and a symbol of continuity. The office connects today’s world with a story that began centuries ago, and still invites people to consider where faith might fit in their own lives.