Post by : Rameen Ariff

Britain is set to announce a new Archbishop of Canterbury on Friday, choosing the senior-most leader of the Church of England (CoE), which serves as the mother church for over 85 million Anglicans worldwide. For the first time in history, a woman could assume this historic role, a position that has existed since 597 AD.

Reforms introduced under former Archbishop Justin Welby, who resigned last year following a child abuse cover-up scandal, paved the way for women to become bishops in the Church of England a decade ago. These reforms now make it possible for a woman to be appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior bishop in England’s established church.

“It would be incredibly exciting if the new Archbishop were a woman. That would be a momentous first in history,” said David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury. As dean, he will formally place the new Archbishop in their seat of authority during an official ceremony expected in the coming months.

Female Bishops Among the Frontrunners

Leading the race to become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury are three prominent women bishops. Bishop Rachel Treweek, the CoE’s first-ever female diocesan bishop; Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, who arrived in Britain as a refugee after the 1979 Islamic Revolution; and Bishop Sarah Mullally, who leads the London diocese, are all at the top of bookmakers’ lists.

Other potential candidates include Bishop Martyn Snow, who stepped back from the CoE’s process on blessing same-sex couples, and Bishop Pete Wilcox of Sheffield. Appointing a woman as Archbishop would be a historic milestone for Christians across denominations and continents, though it may intensify debates over the role of women and same-sex couples in the Church.

Global Implications and Church Divides

The Archbishop of Canterbury holds a global role shaped by the spread of Anglicanism during the British Empire, complicating efforts to unify the Church today. Conservative groups such as the Global Anglican Future Conference argue that only men should be bishops, while British campaigners like Women and the Church continue to push for expanded roles for women in ministry.

Monarchy’s Historic Role in Appointment

Reflecting the Church of England’s status as the established church, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office will formally announce the appointment with King Charles’ consent. As monarch, Charles serves as the supreme governor of the CoE, a role established in the 16th century. Unlike the Catholic Church, which typically elects a new pope quickly, the CoE has taken nearly a year to choose a new Archbishop due to a detailed vetting process involving senior bishops, global representatives, and a former spy.

The commission responsible for selecting the new Archbishop included 17 voting members: five from the global Anglican Communion, three from Canterbury, and six from the CoE’s governing body. The upcoming appointment marks a defining moment in the Church’s history and could shape its direction for years to come.

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