CAPTION: The new Archbishop served in Devon for three years
Dame Sarah Mullally, Former Bishop of Crediton, Announced as Next Archbishop of Canterbury
The former Bishop of Crediton, Dame Sarah Mullally, 63, has been announced as the next Archbishop of Canterbury designate.
The current Bishop of London is the first women to be appointed to the role in the Church of England.
Dame Sarah Mullally pictured at the Beacon Church of England School in Exmouth, during her time as Bishop of Crediton
Dame Sarah was the first female bishop in the Diocese of Exeter – serving as Bishop of Crediton, which covers the north and east of Devon, from 2015 to 2018.
She was ordained in 2001, and served her curacy in the Diocese of Southwark. In 2012 she was installed as Canon Treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral and three years later she took on the role of Suffragan Bishop of Crediton, where she served for three years, before becoming Bishop of London.
Earlier this year Dame Sarah Mullally consecrated the current Bishop of Crediton, the Rt. Rev’d Moira Astin, into her role as suffragan bishop at a service at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
Today Bishop Moira said, “I’m delighted to hear that Bishop Sarah has been appointed as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, especially as she consecrated me a bishop in the summer and was my predecessor-but-one as Bishop of Crediton here in Devon.
Dame Sarah Mullally with the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt. Rev’d Moira Astin.
“Part of my delight is that she has experience of both urban and rural churches and communities, and so I am confident that when she leads the church in this nation she will have on her heart our villages as well as our towns and cities.”
The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison said, “I am delighted to see Bishop Sarah appointed to this hugely significant role of Archbishop of Canterbury.
“Sarah is held in great affection in Devon where she served as the first female Bishop of Crediton with great wisdom and pastoral sensitivity.
“Her gifts were clear to many of us then and we are not surprised to see her chosen for London, and now Canterbury.
“We look forward to working with her in proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel in word and service and will be holding her in prayer as she takes on such a wide and demanding set of responsibilities.”
The Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt. Rev’d James Grier, who worked with Dame Sarah in her previous role, said, “In the midst of the surprise it feels like many people aren’t surprised. For those of us who have worked with Sarah her exceptional gifts have been evident.
Dame Sarah leading a confirmation service on Dartmoor in 2016
“The role of archbishop is beyond demanding and yet Sarah has consistently demonstrated her ability to go above and beyond expectations. And she always does this with a smile on her face and a wonderful warmth and love for people.
“She was my bishop for 5 years and a pleasure to work with and for. I look forward to serving with her as our archbishop.
“Sarah may not be a true Devonian, but as Bishop of Crediton, she was taken to the hearts of people across Devon, as she took them to her heart. We will certainly be claiming her as one of us now!
“My prayers are with her and her husband Eamonn at this time. I pray that she will lead the church to ever more effectively proclaim and demonstrate the good news of Christ and the abundant love of God to a world that is in such desperate need of it.”
Dame Sarah Mullally was appointed as Bishop of Crediton in 2015, by the former Bishop of Exeter.
The former Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Robert Atwell said, “I’m thrilled and delighted at the appointment of SM as the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
“As many people in Devon will remember from her years as Bishop of Crediton, she is a woman of practical faith and warm compassion who enjoyed the respect and affection of all.
“She started her working life as a nurse and her instinctive care for the needy continues to be a hallmark of her ministry as a bishop. It was a privilege to have worked with her and my prayers go with her as she now moves to Canterbury.”
She previously had a career in nursing and rose to be the government’s youngest ever chief nursing officer. She was made a Dame in recognition of her contribution to nursing.
Dr Simon Harrison, who is the Healthcare Chaplain and Head of Pastoral & Spiritual Care: Royal Devon University Hospital NHS Trust, said,“I was both surprised and delighted with news of our former Bishop of Crediton being appointed as Archbishop. When she was with us here in Devon, Sarah had responsibility for healthcare chaplaincy among many other areas.
Rev’d Phill Parker, pictured with his family, said he was impressed by Dame Sarah’s approach to safeguarding
“She was responsive, insightful, enthusiastic and compassionate in how she related to us. One can only hope that she carries these gifts into her wider role for the whole of the Anglican communion.”
As well as Healthcare chaplaincy, Dame Sarah also helped oversee safeguarding in the Diocese of Exeter.
Rev’d Phill Parker, Team Rector of the Ashburton and Moorland Mission Community, previously worked as part of the Diocesan Safeguarding team and commented “I am delighted that Bishop Sarah is to be our Archbishop.
“It was my privilege to serve alongside her in the cause of improving safeguarding in this diocese, and she acted with such commitment and compassion in the pursuit of the Church demonstrating better care for vulnerable people and survivors.
“In the years since, I have been pleased to see that same character demonstrated as Bishop of London, particularly in her passionate speeches in the House of Lords, where she has spoken out for those without a voice.
“In a church that has been rocked by safeguarding scandal, I look forward to serving under the leadership of an archbishop who fully understands how integral doing Safeguarding well is to the mission and ministry of this Church.”
A date for Archbishop-designate Sarah’s Consecration service is yet to be announced.
