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Dame Sarah Mullally has been named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury designate - creating a milestone as the initial female to be chosen for this important office.

Previously England's chief nursing officer, the 63-year-old entered the priesthood in 2006 and was named as the initial woman to serve as Bishop of London in 2018 - the third most senior member of religious leadership in the Church of England.

This marks the first time in nearly 500 years of history that the Anglican Communion has selected a female to assume its leadership.

Groundbreaking Selection

The Anglican Church has been without someone in the leading position for approximately twelve months after the previous Archbishop resigned over a protection controversy.

He departed following a critical investigation into a serial offender linked to the Church. The investigation found that he "was able and obligated" 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 interim move, and was among those casting ballots of the body tasked with selecting his replacement.

Official Process

In line with tradition, the procedure of choosing a spiritual leader involves a candidate being presented to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then forwarded to the monarch.

Sir Keir has applauded Dame Sarah's appointment, commenting: "This position will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and anticipate working together."

Although formally, the monarch is leader of the Church of England, the individual holding the role of spiritual leader is the most senior bishop and is the religious guide of the religious institution and the global Anglican community.

Monarchical and Global Reaction

King Charles III has congratulated the new Archbishop on her new role, "which is of such importance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion", Buckingham Palace announced.

The international conservative Anglican group, which represents conservative views, has criticised the appointment, stating that although some will welcome it, "the majority of the Anglican Communion still maintains that the scriptures mandates a male-only episcopacy."

Transition Period

She does not legally take on her new role until a formal approval process in January, and an installation ceremony comes later, after they have pledged allegiance to the monarch.

In a statement on Friday after her appointment was finalized, she said: "I know this is a significant undertaking but I undertake it with a feeling of calm and trust in God to support me as has consistently occurred."

Addressing media at the historic church, she said that "in an age that craves certainty and tribalism, the Anglican tradition provides a more subtle approach but more resilient."

Responding to Attack

Talking about the "terrible attack" of the previous day's incident on a Jewish house of worship in Manchester, she said "we observe prejudice that emerges through divisions across our communities."

She continued: "We then as a Church have a responsibility to be a people who support the Jewish people against antisemitism in every manifestation. Hatred and racism of any kind cannot be allowed 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 most junior person to serve as chief nurse for England in 1999.

Although she was volunteering in the Church at the period, it was just a few years later that she decided to become a clergy member and was quickly tasked with helping implement changes in the way the organization dealt with misconduct.

In that year she became financial administrator at the historic church before assuming the role of diocesan leader in the diocese of Exeter in 2015.

As Bishop of London she was regarded as someone who used her experience as an NHS administrator to help update the diocese.

Guiding Principles

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

"I prefer to think that I have consistently maintained a single calling: to follow Jesus Christ, to know him and to share his message, always seeking to demonstrate empathy in the service of others, whether as a healthcare professional, a religious leader, or a bishop."

Future Challenges

Possibly the most urgent thing in her agenda is still to chart a better path towards dealing with misconduct and treating with more compassion those impacted by such incidents.

There has also been a decline in church attendance, though London has to some extent bucked that trend.

A particular subject she has been particularly vocal on is assisted dying - she is a vociferous opponent, as was her preceding Archbishop.

When the law was passed in the House of Commons, she characterized it as "unworkable and unsafe and creates danger to the most vulnerable people in our society."

Progressive Stances

Among her responsibilities as Bishop of London was to chair a body trying to guide the Church's decision on whether to bless same-sex marriages.

She characterized the decision to finally allow priests to bless same-sex couples in last year as "an optimistic development for the Church."

Rowan Williams, described her new role as necessitating a "awareness of current affairs and a understanding of scripture."

The former spiritual leader told media outlets "the pressure of having an opinion on everything is significantly demanding."