The first woman to lead the Church of England, Archbishop of Catwnbury Dame Sarah Mullally, has said she is committed to speaking out about misogyny where she sees it.
Dame Sarah has been confirmed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury in a ceremony rich with centuries-old tradition at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Her predecessor, Justin Welby, resigned following accusations that he did not do enough with the information he had about a prolific abuser to prevent further abuse from taking place, reports the BBC.
Dame Sarah told journalists that it was right that there should be greater scrutiny of her own record in safeguarding in the Church.
“There’s a sense of the weight of office that I feel, but I’ve also been very conscious of the huge support that I’ve had from people either writing [to me] or passing me in the streets,” Dame Sarah said during the interview.
Previously, England’s chief nursing officer, Dame Sarah, had started the day as Bishop of London, a post she had held since 2018.
“It is fair to say that I have, both in my secular role, as well as in the Church, experienced misogyny at times,” she said.
Though Dame Sarah acknowledged that throughout her ministry she had received support from many men, she said she had also learned that issues of misogyny needed to be “brought into the open”, something she would do more.
“I’m conscious that, being in this role, I need to speak of it [misogyny], because there are some who don’t necessarily have the status or power of this role, and feel more hesitant to do it. I commit myself to making an environment where all people can flourish and which is safer for all,” she said.
The role of the Archbishop of Canterbury has been notoriously difficult, particularly in holding together people with a broad range of theological viewpoints both at home and abroad. Dame Sarah is likely to face additional pressures.
Although the Church of England has allowed women to be ordained as priests since the 1990s and has had female bishops for more than a decade, it has also allowed male bishops to continue to refuse to ordain women if they choose to do so.
“I have always understood that people may find my appointment as a woman difficult in the Church. I would, above all, want them to understand that I do hear their concerns and where they’re coming from,” said Dame Sarah.
As well as those theologically opposed to her election because she is a woman, some have objected to her becoming Archbishop of Canterbury on the grounds of her record on safeguarding.
“All of us should be open to having the light shone on what we do, and I recognise rightly that there is greater scrutiny on me and the actions that I have undertaken, and I reiterate my commitment to safeguarding. I also commit to ensuring that we have independence,” Dame Sarah said.
In taking up the mantle of archbishop, Dame Sarah said she would not be complacent on safeguarding and would ensure the Church moved forward.
Although she legally became Archbishop of Canterbury on Tuesday, Dame Sarah will only start performing most of her public-facing duties after her installation ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral on 25 March.
Before then, though, in February, she will lead the meeting of the Church’s national assembly, the General Synod.
