Sara Malalli is the first female archbishop. Photo by Victoria Jones / Shutterstock.
In 2026, a significant milestone occurred in the history of the Church of England: Sara Malalli became the first woman to hold the position of Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest spiritual rank in the Anglican Church. Her official appointment took place on January 28, 2026, when she was legally confirmed in this role, becoming the 106th archbishop since the church's founding in the 6th century.
The enthronement ceremony took place on March 25 at Canterbury Cathedral, symbolizing the beginning of her ministry as the head of the Church of England and the global Anglican community.
As reported by The Guardian, this is the first time in nearly 1,500 years that a woman has led this church.
In her first sermon, Malalli stated: "I begin my ministry with the words: 'Here I am,'" emphasizing her readiness for responsibility and service.
This appointment marks a significant step for the Anglican Church, where women were only ordained as priests starting in 1994 and as bishops since 2014.
