In what has been described as a landmark moment for the global Anglican Communion, Archbishop Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold the revered position in more than 1,400 years of the Church of England’s history.
Reacting to the historic appointment, Amofin Beulah Adeoye, a faith leader and Nigerian born legal luminary described the development as “a sacred moment in history and a seismic shift in the life of the Church.”
In her congratulatory message, Adeoye expressed deep joy and reverence over the milestone, noting that it represents “a long-overdue recognition of the wisdom, grace, and spiritual authority that women have carried quietly and faithfully for centuries in the life of the Church.”
Reflecting on her personal encounter with the new Archbishop, Adeoye recalled sharing a sacred moment with her during an ordination service at St Stephen’s with St John, SSWSJ Rochester Row, Westminster, London, where Mullally, then the Bishop of London, presided over the ordination of The Reverend David Jones, Lee, and others.
“In the solemn stillness of the vestry before we emerged in our vestments, there was laughter and light — as she shared a playful quip with The Reverend Graham Buckle,” Adeoye recounted. “It was a fleeting moment that revealed her humanity, humility, and warmth. That is the essence of Archbishop Sarah — a gentle leader with a formidable spirit and a generous heart.”
Adeoye praised Archbishop Mullally’s inspiring journey from serving as Chief Nursing Officer for England to becoming the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, describing her as “a woman of intellect, empathy, and deep spiritual grounding.”
“She walks not ahead of the people, but with them — as a servant, a shepherd, and a steward of the sacred,” Adeoye wrote. “Her leadership comes at a time when the Church is searching for its voice amid the noise of the world. Her calm yet convicted spirit will not only guide Lambeth Palace but resound through cathedrals, chapels, and communities across the Commonwealth.”
Adeoye added that the appointment is more than a personal victory — it is a divine affirmation of inclusion and possibility within the Church.
“For every woman who has wondered whether her calling could reach the altar, for every child who has questioned whether leadership must always look a certain way — this appointment declares that the Spirit moves where it wills,” she stated.
In a heartfelt prayer, Adeoye concluded:
> “May the oil upon your head never run dry. May your voice be clear in the storm, your heart remain tender in the fire, and your hands always open in the service of love. The world is watching — and indeed, the world is rejoicing.”
