Downing Street has today announced that the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE is to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
Bishop Michael has responded to the news of the announcement.
He says, "I am delighted that the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has been appointed as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. This is wonderful news for the Church of England, and the wider Anglican Communion. As our country’s former Chief Nurse and as someone who has served as bishop of one of our largest and most complex dioceses, Sarah brings an abundance of leadership skills to the role which will be hugely important as we move forward together as a Church, as a country, and as part of a global society.
"Having worked closely with Sarah in her role as lead Bishop for Health I have experienced at first hand Sarah’s ability, wisdom and empathy. Sarah’s nomination also marks a wonderful milestone for our Church. In England, our journey has taken us from the ordination of women as priests in 1994 to the consecration of our first woman bishop in 2015. Now the first woman will serve as Archbishop of Canterbury and her appointment will change our Church and the whole Anglican Communion forever.
"I and all of us in Bath and Wells, will be praying for Sarah, Eamonn and their family as Sarah prepares to take on this role."
Bishop Michael also shared this video message welcoming Bishop Sarah to her new role.
The Dean of Wells, the Very Revd Toby Wright has also responded to the news.
He says, "At Wells Cathedral we greet the joyful news of a new Archbishop of Canterbury. At this time, we pray that the ministry of The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally may be a force for peace and unity across all faiths and communities, a source of joy and a blessing to the poor. We pray for the See of Canterbury, for Bishop Sarah as she takes up this important role in the life of the national Church, to be the focus of unity for the worldwide Anglican Communion."
