Sarah Mullally's confirmation is immense step for Church of England - but could be just what it needs

The official confirmation of Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury is an immense step for the Church of England (CoE).

Unless you believe in Pope Joan, the legendary female pontiff who supposedly reigned under the title of John VIII, the 63-year-old will become the first female leader in the church in England's history.

It's a big deal.

The confirmation of election service, which will take place in St Paul's Cathedral today, has been part of the church's history since St Augustine was chosen to be the very first Archbishop of Canterbury in 595 AD.

Part Christian liturgy and part legal process, the ceremony serves as a way for the ecclesiastical court (the church's court) to confirm that last year's election, which chose her to replace Justin Welby, was legal.

Ahead of Wednesday's confirmation, documents similar to bands of marriage have been posted on the doors of St Paul's and Lambeth Palace, visibly telling the congregation to declare if they have any reason to doubt the legality of Dame Sarah's election.

Also, much like a wedding, she will enter St Paul's as the former Bishop of London and halfway through become the archbishop, having declared her loyalty to King Charles. Her exit will then be led by a patriarchal cross.

Read more from Sky News:
Who is Sarah Mullally?

Dame Sarah's rise to the position is, by any measure, remarkable.

After leaving school she decided to pursue nursing, ending up as the Department of Health's chief nursing officer from 1999 to 2004. A career change saw her enter the clergy, and now she is about to become the worldwide Anglican communion's top priest.

It has been just over 10 years since the first female bishop was consecrated into the CoE and just under a year since Cherry Vann was confirmed as the Archbishop of Wales.

In many ways this feels like the next natural step for the CoE. What one has to be aware of is that the Roman Catholic Church, with whom the Anglican communion are allies, may need to adjust to a female leader.

While women are not allowed to be ordained as bishops, priests, or deacons, in the Catholic Church, Dame Sarah was acknowledged by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the outgoing head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, during evening prayers just days ago.

It is perhaps his way of saying, "it's your business who you choose to be archbishop, but we see and accept you".

She knows how to take the pain…

Dame Sarah could face a tougher job in winning over some Christians who do not feel like she is worthy of the position.

Many people have said that they are disappointed by the appointment. But then, people can be easily disappointed in life.

Dame Sarah is becoming archbishop at perhaps the angriest time in England's history and no doubt will be challenged from the moment she leaves St Paul's.

But having walked the Living in Love and Faith project through its process of consideration she already has a few nails through her hands and feet; she knows how to take the pain.

And who better to try to fix the open wounds that the world seems determined to inflict than a former nurse?

…but can she heal the church?

She will apply to the task of being the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury her nursing skills of patience, kindness, and a determination to heal the church.

After all, she has reached the pinnacle of two "callings" in life, which suggests she has the mettle of servant leadership to help the church forward. In return, I expect she mostly hopes for goodwill and prayer to get through.

Although she's not like a Pope so can't be autocratic in any way, I would imagine that because of the nature of the job she is going to try to nurse the church out of pain.

During the six and a half to seven years she will have as archbishop, she is going to think it is crucial to enable the word of God to flourish.

And perhaps there is a chance that the church has decided it needs a mother.

(c) Sky News 2026: Sarah Mullally's confirmation is immense step for Church of England - but could be just wha