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Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the incoming spiritual leader of the Church of England - creating a milestone as the initial female to be chosen for this prestigious role.

A former NHS chief nurse, the 63-year-old became a priest in 2006 and was named as the initial woman to serve as Bishop of London in 2018 - occupying the third highest position of clergy in the Anglican Church.

This signifies the first time in nearly 500 years of tradition that the Church has nominated a woman to guide its direction.

Historic Selection

The Church has been lacking an individual in the leading position for almost a year after the previous Archbishop stepped down over a protection controversy.

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

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell took on most of Mr Welby's duties in an temporary arrangement, and was among those casting ballots of the body charged with selecting his successor.

Official 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 forwarded to the sovereign.

The Prime Minister has applauded Dame Sarah's appointment, commenting: "The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our country's affairs. I wish her every success and look forward to working together."

While, technically, the King is head of the Church of England, the individual holding the position of spiritual leader is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the religious institution and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Monarchical and Global Response

King Charles III has congratulated Dame Sarah on her appointment, "a position of great significance in the UK and across the worldwide Anglican community", the royal household stated.

The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, which represents conservative views, has criticised the appointment, saying that although certain groups support the decision, "the majority of the global church still maintains that the scriptures requires a all-male bishopric."

Transition Period

She will not formally assume her position until a formal approval process in the new year, and an installation ceremony comes later, after they have paid homage to the King.

In a statement on the announcement day after her new role was finalized, she stated: "I know this is a significant undertaking but I approach it with a sense of peace and trust in God to carry me as He always has."

Speaking from Canterbury Cathedral, she noted that "during a period that craves certainty and group identity, the Anglican tradition provides a more subtle approach but more resilient."

Addressing Violence

Talking about the "terrible attack" of the previous day's incident on a Jewish house of worship in Manchester, she stated "we are witnessing prejudice that rises up through divisions across our communities."

She continued: "We then as a Church have a duty to be a group who support the Jewish community against prejudice against Jews in every manifestation. Prejudice and discrimination of all types cannot be permitted to divide our society."

Professional History

Married with two children, she spent over 35 years in the National Health Service, achieving the position of the youngest-ever chief nursing officer for the country in 1999.

While serving voluntarily in the religious community at the time, it was just a short time after that she decided to become a priest and was promptly assigned helping make reforms in the way the organization addressed misconduct.

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

As Bishop of London she was seen as someone who applied her background as an NHS administrator to help update the church district.

Personal Philosophy

"I am often asked what it has been like to have had different professional paths, first in the health service and now in the religious institution.

"I prefer to think that I have consistently maintained a single calling: to pursue Christian faith, to know him and to make him known, continually striving to live with compassion in the service of others, whether as a healthcare professional, a priest, or a bishop."

Future Challenges

Possibly the pressing issue in her agenda is still to chart a better path towards addressing abuse and approaching with greater empathy those impacted by such incidents.

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

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 Commons, she described it as "impractical and dangerous and poses a risk to the most vulnerable people in our society."

Progressive Stances

One of her roles as London's religious leader was to chair a body trying to steer the Church's decision on whether to bless same-sex marriages.

She described the determination to finally allow priests to bless same-sex couples in 2023 as "a moment of hope for the Church."

A former Archbishop, described her position as requiring a "newspaper in one hand and a Bible in the other."

Dr Williams explained to media outlets "the expectation of having an position on all matters is significantly demanding."