The announcement of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to occupy the Church of England’s highest spiritual office has sparked intense debate among church leaders in Nigeria. While some clerics see her appointment as a divine validation of women’s evolving role in ministry, others view it as a worrying deviation from biblical order.
For Bishop Funkuro Victor of the Diocese of the Northern Region, Nigeria, the development is deeply unsettling.
“From creation, God has never handed over the position of leadership to a woman,” he said firmly. “Leadership has always been meant for men. Women are to follow. A situation where we are electing women to become heads of the church is very dangerous. It’s not scriptural, it’s man-made.”
In sharp contrast, Mary Okolie, a Nigerian missionary, described the appointment as a divine move that highlights God’s sovereignty and inclusiveness.
“We believe that in the history of old, God used Deborah to fight a battle that men could not,” she said. “So, I think it’s a wonderful thing and a way for God to prove to our generation that what He has used men to do, He can also use women to do.”
Adding another perspective, Marvelous Atuliwa, a mission partner with the Church of Nigeria, expressed cautious optimism. While acknowledging the historic significance of Bishop Sarah’s appointment, he raised moral concerns about the Church of England’s stance on sexuality.
“My only source of worry and concern is our ideology regarding the LGBTQ movement, which is ravaging the West,” he said. “The Church of Nigeria is strongly and 100 per cent against the LGBTQ agenda.”
These reactions reflect a broader theological divide within the global Anglican Communion — one that continues to wrestle with questions of gender, doctrine, and moral authority in the 21st century.
Historic appointment
It will be recalled that on October 2, 2025, His Majesty the King approved the nomination of the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, according to an announcement from Downing Street.
Bishop Mullally will become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury since Saint Augustine arrived in Kent from Rome in 597 AD, and the first woman ever to hold the office. She will be formally installed at a special service at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026.
Before her ordination in 2001, Bishop Mullally had already distinguished herself in public service. A trained cancer nurse, she became the Government’s Chief Nursing Officer for England at the age of 37, the youngest person ever appointed to that role. She has often described nursing as “an opportunity to reflect the love of God.”
Her ministry journey began as Bishop of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter before she made history again in 2018 as the first female Bishop of London.
Chosen through prayerful discernment
Bishop Sarah’s selection followed months of public consultation and prayerful discernment by the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), which included representatives from the Church of England, the global Anglican Communion, and the Diocese of Canterbury.
As Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Sarah will hold multiple offices, serving as Diocesan Bishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England, and Metropolitan, as well as primus inter pares (Latin for “first among equals”), among the Primates of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which has over 85 million members in 165 countries.
She will also retain her role in the House of Lords, where 26 bishops collectively serve as the Lords Spiritual.
Call to hope and healing
Responding to her historic appointment, Bishop Sarah expressed humility and a renewed sense of divine calling.
“As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and to others that has motivated me since I first came to faith as a teenager,” she said.
“At every stage of that journey, through my nursing career and Christian ministry, I have learned to listen deeply to people and to God’s gentle prompting—to seek to bring people together to find hope and healing.”
“I want, very simply, to encourage the Church to continue to grow in confidence in the Gospel, to speak of the love that we find in Jesus Christ and for it to shape our actions. I know this is a huge responsibility, but I approach it with a sense of peace and trust in God to carry me as He always has.”
Divided communion, a shared faith
While Bishop Sarah’s elevation has inspired many as a sign of progress and inclusivity, it also reignites long-standing tensions between the more liberal Western provinces of the Anglican Communion and the conservative Global South, particularly the Church of Nigeria.
Yet, amid differing interpretations and convictions, one truth remains evident that Bishop Sarah Mullally’s appointment marks a historic turning point for the Anglican Church, one that challenges both tradition and faith communities to reexamine what leadership, service, and calling mean in today’s world.
Trailblazer for the church
Her appointment has been described as “inspired,” “historic and “hopeful by many within and outside the Church of England.
Archbishop Shane Parker of the Anglican Church of Canada expressed heartfelt congratulations, writing:
“We rejoice with you! Be certain of the steadfast prayers of Canadian Anglicans from coast to coast to coast. Deep peace and inner calm to you in the days ahead, and much wisdom and compassion in the years to come.”
Similarly, the Archbishop of Wales, Cherry Vann, lauded the decision as visionary, saying the Crown Nominations Commission showed courage and inclusiveness by appointing a woman to the Church’s highest office.
“Bishop Sarah has shown herself to be a woman of integrity, courage, and compassion, and brings enormous experience to this new ministry,” she said. “We pray that God will bless, equip, and strengthen her for the task ahead.”
Symbol of progress and inclusivity
Across the Anglican Communion, Bishop Sarah’s elevation has been hailed as a symbol of inclusivity and progress.
Bishop Robert, a member of the House of Bishops, described her as an exemplary leader who “has presided effectively over one of our largest and most complex dioceses,” adding that her selection “will be of particular encouragement to women in our diocese.”
In Brazil, The Most Revd. Marinez Rosa Dos Santos Bassotto, Primate of Brazil and Bishop of the Amazon, called the appointment “a historic landmark not just for the Anglican Church, but for the entire Church of Christ.”
“Bishop Sarah embodies the wisdom, empathy, love, strength, and courage necessary to guide the Church in this time of challenges and polarisation,” she said. “This election marks the beginning of a new era for the Church and is a sign of how much our Communion has broadened its vision.”
Mixed reactions over doctrine among African bishops
While some African bishops have hailed the announcement as a “historic and thrilling development,” others have described it as a “devastating decision” that further alienates the Church of England from biblical orthodoxy.
Thrilling development for progressives
In South Africa, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, the Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, welcomed the news with enthusiasm.
“The appointment of the first woman as Archbishop of Canterbury is a momentous step forward,” he said. “We look forward to working with her as we respond prophetically and pastorally to what God is doing in the world.”
Similarly, Bishop Emily Onyango, the first woman ordained as a bishop in the Anglican Church of Kenya, described the announcement as “a new dawn.”
Speaking to BBC Focus on Africa, Bishop Onyango said, “The new archbishop is a humble person who listens, and that’s what the Church needs. When you have a hardline stance and don’t listen to people, there are a lot of problems.”
She argued that opposition to Bishop Mullally’s appointment was “more patriarchal than theological,” emphasising that women’s leadership could bring compassion and peace-building to the forefront of Anglican ministry.
“The new archbishop needs to address peace on the continent. Women and children are suffering, and she needs to work for peace and reconciliation,” she added.
‘Missed opportunity’ for conservatives
However, reactions from other parts of Africa have been far less welcoming. Some conservative Anglican leaders, particularly within the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) and GAFCON, have criticised the decision, citing theological concerns over gender and sexuality.
The Most Rev. Dr. Justin Badi Arama, Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Chairman of GSFA, called the appointment “a missed opportunity to reunite and reform the Anglican Communion.”
In a statement released on the church’s website, Archbishop Badi Arama said,
“When the General Synod opened the door to blessing same-sex relationships in 2023, she called it ‘a moment of hope.’ For us, it was a moment of lament. We cannot compromise biblical truth by yielding to cultural pressures.”
He accused the Church of England of “departing from Anglican tradition and the clear teaching of Scripture,” and reaffirmed GSFA’s commitment to “preserving orthodox Anglican doctrine” through a new framework of ‘covenanted relationships’ among conservative provinces.
Nigeria’s strong opposition
In Nigeria, the reaction has been particularly sharp. In a statement released by the Most Rev’d Henry C. Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the church condemned Bishop Mullally’s appointment as both “insensitive” and “unbiblical.”
“It is a double jeopardy — first, in its insensitivity to the conviction of the majority of Anglicans who are unable to embrace female headship in the episcopate, and second, more disturbing that Bishop Sarah Mullally is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage,” the statement read.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s alignment with GAFCON, the statement declared,
“The Church of Nigeria affirms the GAFCON position unreservedly, upholding the authority of the Scriptures, our historic creeds, evangelism, and holy Christian living, irrespective of the ongoing revisionist agenda.”
GAFCON’s continued resistance
The Most Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda, Archbishop of Rwanda and Chairman of GAFCON’s leadership council, echoed similar concerns, insisting that “the majority of the Anglican Communion still believes that the Bible requires a male-only episcopacy.”
He accused Bishop Mullally of promoting “unbiblical and revisionist teachings regarding marriage and sexual morality.”
GAFCON, formed in 2008 in response to the growing acceptance of same-sex unions within parts of the Anglican Communion, maintains that Anglican identity should not depend solely on recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
That position hardened in 2023, when GAFCON provinces rejected the leadership of then-Archbishop Justin Welby after the Church of England moved to bless same-sex couples.
A landmark appointment or a spiritual
crossroads? — Pastor Evans Emmanuel
In an exclusive interview with Adeola Ogunlade, Pastor Evans Tokunbo Emmanuel, a respected theologian and church leader, shared his thoughts on the significance and controversies surrounding the appointment of the Rt. Revd. and Rt. Hon. Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. From breaking centuries-old gender barriers to stirring theological debates over same-sex blessings, Pastor Emmanuel’s reflections offered a balanced yet bold perspective, celebrating progress in church leadership while warning against what he called “a slow drift from biblical truth.”
“Of course, it’s news the whole world must pay attention to,” Pastor Emmanuel began. “This is not just a local appointment to a parish or community of parishes; it’s an appointment to the highest rank in the Anglican Communion. It’s historical and landmark — especially, because she is the first woman ever to occupy that office.”
A woman in leadership: breaking historical barriers
While Pastor Emmanuel acknowledged the historical importance of Archbishop Serra’s appointment, he was quick to clarify that female leadership in ministry is not new in global Christianity.
“Being a woman leading a church is nothing new,” he said. “We have seen it for years in the Pentecostal movement and independent churches. What makes this one different is the historic and global significance of the Canterbury seat.”
Quoting from the book of Joel, he added:
“God said He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh, your sons and daughters shall prophesy. If God pours His Spirit on women, how can anyone say they should not minister? That’s not scriptural.”
However, while gender may no longer be the issue, the real concern, he emphasised, lies elsewhere.
He insisted that opposition to Bishop Mullally’s appointment on the grounds of gender is “no longer tenable,” considering the historical evolution of the Anglican Communion’s ordination policy over the past three decades.
According to him, “It’s not a misplaced argument. If you know the Anglican Communion, particularly in England, they have been appointing women bishops for years. In fact, as far back as 1994, women were ordained as priests — 32 of them were ordained at Bristol Cathedral. By 2000, about 1,700 women were already serving as priests.”
He further explained that the process leading up to Bishop Mullally’s appointment was a logical progression of long-standing ecclesiastical reforms. “In 2014, the Church of England agreed to allow women to become bishops, and by 2015, the first female bishop was appointed. So if someone was ordained as a priest in 1994, there’s absolutely no theological or procedural reason they can’t be appointed Archbishop by 2025,” he said.
Pastor Emmanuel noted that the Anglican tradition allows for immediate elevation within its clerical hierarchy: “According to the Anglican structure, anyone ordained as a priest can become a bishop the next day. So, the argument that a woman cannot lead the Church or serve as Archbishop is inconsistent with the very foundation of the Church’s own practice for over 30 years.”
“Bishop Sarah’s appointment is not a sudden departure from tradition but a fulfilment of the inclusive vision the Church of England has been building since the early 1990s,” he said. “We may differ on certain doctrinal issues, but one thing is clear — the Gospel’s call to service and leadership is not gender-exclusive.”
Pastor Emmanuel also urged African Anglicans to approach the development with spiritual maturity and historical awareness, noting that “the move toward women’s leadership in ministry has been part of Anglican life for decades.”
Real controversy: Same-sex blessings and biblical integrity
Pastor Emmanuel noted that most African and conservative Anglican provinces are not opposing Archbishop Serra because of her gender but due to her theological stance.
“The resistance isn’t because she’s a woman,” he explained. “It’s about her support for same-sex blessings. The Church of England was accused of abandoning biblical teaching when it approved blessings for same-sex couples. Archbishop Sarah openly described that vote as a ‘moment of hope.’ That’s where the problem lies.”
For Pastor Emmanuel, the issue transcends gender equality or inclusion — it’s about scriptural fidelity.
“If she stood by biblical truth, I doubt there would be this much opposition. But when the head of the church aligns with a doctrine the Bible rejects, then those who care about the faith’s foundation must speak up.”
Deepening divide in the global church
Asked about the likely impact of the appointment on the unity of the Anglican Communion, Pastor Emmanuel was unequivocal.
“This decision will deepen the division in the church,” he said firmly. “The idea of inclusivity sounds noble, but in practice, it often excludes biblical truth. The Bible does not evolve with culture. The word of God is settled forever — it cannot be edited or modernized.”
He warned that importing secular ideologies into church life threatens the distinct identity of the body of Christ.
“Friendship with the world is enmity against God,” he declared. “You can’t mix the church with world ideology. When the church starts accommodating sin under the banner of inclusion, it loses its light.”
Faith, persecution, and conviction
In an era of anti-discrimination laws and social pressures, Pastor Emmanuel believes that the true test of Christianity is steadfastness in conviction.
“There will always be laws that go against the Christian belief system,” he noted. “Even in the days of the apostles, believers were killed for their faith. Christianity is redemptive. If by tomorrow she repents and stands by God’s word, that would be a welcome change. But if not, believers must be ready to face whatever comes with holding to the truth.”
The Church, the Crown, and Historical Roots
Tracing the historical relationship between the Church of England and the British monarchy, Pastor Emmanuel highlighted that the Archbishop of Canterbury remains closely tied to royal authority.
“The Anglican Church began under King Henry VIII, who broke away from Rome,” he recalled. “From that time, the church and the monarchy have remained intertwined. So, it’s not surprising that the king announced Archbishop Serra’s appointment. The church has always been a royal institution.”
Africa’s position and the call for a clean break
Turning to Africa, Pastor Emmanuel emphasised that the Church of Nigeria and by extension, other African provinces must reconsider their continued affiliation with the Church of England.
“I think it’s time the Nigerian Church stopped the hypocrisy,” he asserted. “You can’t keep claiming to oppose certain doctrines while maintaining institutional ties with those who uphold them. The Church of Nigeria must make a clean break. If we’re truly autonomous, then whatever happens in England should no longer concern us.”
He added that even if such a decision leads to loss of funding or privileges, it would be a small price to pay for spiritual integrity.
“Nothing terrible will happen,” he said. “Yes, there might be political or travel restrictions for some leaders, but the church will survive. The gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
Looking Ahead: between progress and preservation
As the world celebrates the rise of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Pastor Emmanuel’s reflections echo a larger debate within global Christianity — the tension between adapting to modern realities and holding firm to scriptural truth.
“You can only choose one,” he concluded. “Either you stand by the unchanging word of God, or you follow the world’s evolving culture. The two can never be the same.”
