Sarah Mullally facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE |
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|---|---|
| Archbishop-designate of Canterbury Bishop of London |
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Official portrait, 2019
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| Church | Church of England |
| Province | Canterbury |
| Diocese | London |
| Elected | 25 January 2018 |
| Enthroned | 12 May 2018 |
| Predecessor | Richard Chartres |
| Other posts |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | 2001 (deacon) 2002 (priest) |
| Consecration | 22 July 2015 by Justin Welby |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Sarah Elisabeth Bowser |
| Born | 26 March 1962 Woking, Surrey, England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Residence | City of London |
| Spouse |
Eamonn Mullally
(m. 1987) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education |
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| Signature |  |
Sarah Mullally, born on March 26, 1962, is an important leader in the Church of England. She was also a nurse before becoming a bishop.
On October 3, 2025, it was announced that Sarah Mullally will become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. This is a very special event because she will be the first woman to lead the Church of England in this important role. She will start this new job in January 2026.
Currently, she is the Bishop of London, a position she has held since 2018. She will leave this role when she becomes Archbishop of Canterbury. She is also a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. Before her current role, she was the Chief Nursing Officer for England from 1999 to 2004. She also served as the Bishop of Crediton from 2015 to 2018.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Sarah Elisabeth Bowser was born on March 26, 1962, in Woking, Surrey, England. She grew up with two sisters and one brother. She attended Winston Churchill Comprehensive School and Woking Sixth Form College.
While studying in college, she decided to become a nurse. She wanted to care for the whole person, not just their illness. Her Christian faith, which she has held since she was 16 years old, also inspired her career choice.
In 1980, she began studying nursing at South Bank Polytechnic. She gained practical experience at St Thomas' Hospital. In 1984, she became a registered nurse and earned a science degree. Later, in 1992, she completed a master's degree in health studies at London South Bank University.
Her Career as a Nurse
Sarah Mullally worked as a nurse at St Thomas' Hospital and The Royal Marsden Hospital. She took on several leadership roles in nursing. She was a leader on a hospital ward at the former Westminster Hospital. Later, she became the director of nursing at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
In 1999, she was appointed the Chief Nursing Officer for England. She was also the director for patient experience for England. She was the youngest person to hold these important positions. She also served on the English Board of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.
From 2005 to 2015, Mullally was an independent member of the governing board for London South Bank University. She became the Vice-Chairperson of the Board. She also served on the board of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust from 2005 to 2012. From 2012 to 2016, she held a similar role at Salisbury NHS Foundation. In 2016, she became a member of the Council of King's College London.
Becoming a Church Leader
From 1998 to 2001, Sarah Mullally studied to become a church leader. She attended the South East Institute of Theological Education. During this time, she also studied Theology at the University of Kent. She received a diploma in Theology in 2001.
She was officially made a deacon in the Church of England on September 30, 2001. The next year, on October 5, 2002, she became a priest. Both ceremonies were led by Bishop Tom Butler at Southwark Cathedral and Holy Trinity, Clapham. From 2001 to 2004, she worked as a minister without pay in the Parish of Battersea Fields.
In 2004, Mullally left her Chief Nursing Officer job to work full-time for the Church of England. She served as an assistant minister at St Saviour's Church, Battersea Fields, until 2006. In 2006, she earned a master's degree in pastoral theology from Heythrop College, University of London. That same year, she became the main leader of a group of churches in Sutton. She also taught ethics and helped with church leadership programs. From 2012 to 2015, she managed the finances of Salisbury Cathedral.
Becoming a Bishop
In June 2015, it was announced that Sarah Mullally would become the next Bishop of Crediton. This is a bishop who helps a main bishop in the diocese of Exeter. On July 22, 2015, Archbishop Justin Welby officially made her a bishop at Canterbury Cathedral. She and Rachel Treweek were the first women to become bishops at Canterbury Cathedral.
In September 2015, she became the first woman in the Church of England to lead a service where new priests are made. She ordained two deacons, Leisa McGovern and Sheila Walker, as priests. This happened at St Mary's Church in Ottery St Mary, Devon.
On December 18, 2017, it was announced that Mullally would be the next Bishop of London. She took over from Richard Chartres. As Bishop of London, she is the third most important bishop in the Church of England. She is after the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York. She was officially chosen for this role on January 25, 2018. Her election was confirmed on March 8, and she started her full duties on May 12.
On July 15, 2020, she led the ceremony to make Hugh Nelson and Ruth Bushyager bishops. This was a change from tradition, as the Archbishop of Canterbury usually leads this. It was the first time a female bishop had led such a service in the Church of England.
On March 14, 2018, she became a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, a group that advises the King. She joined the House of Lords as one of the church leaders on May 24, 2018. On July 12, 2019, she became the first female Dean of the Chapel Royal. Bishop Mullally had an important part in the King's coronation in 2023.
Future Leader of the Church
On October 3, 2025, it was announced that Sarah Mullally will become the next Archbishop of Canterbury. This means she will be the main leader of the Church of England. She will take over from Justin Welby. She will be the first woman to ever hold this very important position.
Her official election is expected before Christmas this year. Her role will be legally confirmed on January 28, 2026. Then, in March 2026, she will be formally welcomed into her new role at Canterbury Cathedral.
Some groups within the Anglican church, especially in other parts of the world, have different ideas about women leading the church. They expressed sadness about her appointment. They believe the Church of England is changing too much.
Her Beliefs and Ideas
Sarah Mullally believes in equal rights for men and women. She has helped both men and women become church leaders.
She believes that everyone should feel welcome in the church. This includes those who have different opinions about women serving as priests or bishops. She has said that church diversity should grow, and everyone should find a spiritual home.
Her Family Life
In 1987, Sarah married Eamonn Mullally. They have a daughter and a son. They live in the City of London.
After becoming the Bishop of London, Mullally moved into the official home near St Paul's Cathedral. She made some changes to the property. This included building a small chapel in a former laundry room. There, she leads daily prayer services.
Mullally has shared that she has dyslexia. This is a learning difference that can make reading difficult, especially long lists of names.
Awards and Recognition
In 2005, Sarah Mullally received a special award called Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This was to recognize her great work in nursing and midwifery. She can choose whether to be called "Dame Sarah."
She has also received several academic honors. In 2001, she became a special member of London South Bank University. In 2006, she became a special member of Canterbury Christ Church University. She has also received special degrees, called honorary doctorates, from several universities. These include Bournemouth University (2004), the University of Wolverhampton (2004), the University of Hertfordshire (2005), the University of Exeter (2019), and the University of Plymouth (2021).
See also
In Spanish: Sarah Mullally para niños
