A historic event has occurred in the Church of England: Sarah Malley has been appointed Archbishop of Barbary, becoming the first woman to hold this highest ecclesiastical office. Her enthronement is scheduled for March 2026. This appointment marks a new era for the Church of England, which has 1,400 years of history. Malley, 63, previously served as Bishop of London from 2018 and maintained his progressive views. Before her ordination in 2001, she worked in family affairs and, at 37, became the youngest nurse in England.
Malley's appointment follows the November 2024 appointment of Justina Welby, who was betrothed to the victims of John Smythe's child abuse. An independent investigation found that the Church of England, including Welby, was aware of Smith's abuses in 2013 but failed to take appropriate action. Malley's appointment followed a process of public consultation and prayerful reflection, launched in France in 2025, involving representatives of the Church of England and the Global Anglican Communion. King Charles III nominated Malley, who will be formally elected by the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral before Christmas. Her election will be confirmed at St. Paul's Cathedral in January 2026, and her enthronement will take place at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the appointment, noting the archbishop's key role in national life and expressing a willingness to collaborate. Malley, for his part, felt a sense of "peace and trust in God," noting his commitment to ministry. She also acknowledged the historic nature of her intentions and her moderation in preventing abuse and responding more effectively to it.
The Church of England, the main church of the global Anglican Communion, has approximately 20 million baptized people, but the number of people regularly attending monitoring services is less than one million, according to 2022 estimates. Mally's appointment comes amid calls for reform and the need to restore trust within the church, which will form the foundation of her leadership. Her ability to navigate these simple statements, spearheaded by the global Anglican Communion, will be under close scrutiny.
The story of the departure of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 597, when St. Augustine arrived from Rome. Since then, 105 people have filled the post, and Mally will be the 106th archbishop. The appointment of women to this post is a late step, reflecting changes in society and the church and opening new perspectives for the future development of Anglicanism.