Former chief nursing officer Right Reverend Sarah Mullally has become Bishop of London
A former chief nursing officer has become the most senior woman in the Church of England after being nominated as the new Bishop of London.
The Queen approved the nomination of Right Reverend Sarah Mullally to succeed the Rt Rev Richard Chartres in the Church’s third most senior position behind the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, Downing Street announced.
The 55-year-old, who was made a Dame in 2005 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to nursing and midwifery, said it was a ‘great honour’.
Before becoming Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev Mullally was chief nursing officer at the Department of Health and a parish priest.
The Rt Rev Mullally, who now becomes the third most senior figure in the church behind the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, said: ‘It is a great honour to be nominated to the See of London.
‘Having lived and worked in London for over 32 years, the thought of returning here is about returning home.
‘I am often asked what it has been like to have had two careers, first in the NHS and now in the Church.
The Rt Rev Mullally, (right, with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, middle), was made a Dame in 2005 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to nursing and midwifery
The Right Reverend Sarah Elisabeth Mullally (left) with the Venerable Rachel Treweek (right) following the symbolic laying of the hands ceremony at their consecration as Bishops by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (middle) at a service in Canterbury Cathedral in 2015
‘I prefer to think that I have always had one vocation: to follow Jesus Christ, to know him and to make him known, always seeking to live with compassion in the service of others, whether as a nurse, a priest, or a bishop.
‘To be given the opportunity to do that now in this vibrant world-city is a wonderful privilege.’
The Rt Rev Mullally’s appointment also allows her to take up a role in the House of Lords as part of the Lords Spiritual.
It marks another sign of progress for women in the Church after Libby Lane made history when she was consecrated as the first woman bishop in 2015.
The Rt Rev Mullally also achieved a first in 1999 when she was appointed the youngest chief nursing officer at the Department of Health.
She was ordained in 2001 and left her Government post in 2004, taking up a full-time ministry in the London borough of Sutton.
In 2012 she became Canon Treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral before becoming Bishop of Crediton in the diocese of Exeter in 2015, and is currently a member of the Church of England’s national safeguarding steering group.
She will be installed as the 133rd Bishop of London at St Paul’s Cathedral in the New Year.
The Rt Rev Mullally’s appointment also allows her to take up a role in the House of Lords as part of the Lords Spiritual
Before becoming Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev Mullally was chief nursing officer at the Department of Health and a parish priest
Acting Bishop of London the Rt Rev Pete Broadbent said: ‘I welcome the announcement of Bishop Sarah’s appointment and look forward with excitement to working under her leadership as our Diocesan Bishop.
‘She has proven qualities of leadership and commitment to collaborative working.
‘Bishop Sarah’s work in the public square uniquely equips her for the important outward focus that is required in leading the diocese in this great world-city.
‘She also brings strong experience of parish and cathedral life, and sees her vocational experience as nurse, civil servant, priest and bishop as a totality.’
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, tweeted: ‘Wonderful news – Bishop Sarah brings to this remarkable ministry in this great city an extraordinary experience and profound gifts, which are guided by her faith in Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of all that she is.’