THE Bishop of Bath & Wells said he is “delighted” at the appointment of the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE as the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

Bishop Michael, who himself had been among those thought to bein the running for the role, said: “This is wonderful news for the Church of England, and the wider Anglican Communion.

“As our country’s former Chief Nurse and as someone who has served as bishop of one of our largest and most complex dioceses, Sarah brings an abundance of leadership skills to the role which will be hugely important as we move forward together as a Church, as a country, and as part of a global society.

“Having worked closely with Sarah in her role as lead Bishop for Health I have experienced at first hand Sarah’s ability, wisdom and empathy.

“Sarah’s nomination also marks a wonderful milestone for our Church. In England, our journey has taken us from the ordination of women as priests in 1994 to the consecration of our first woman bishop in 2015.

“Now the first woman will serve as Archbishop of Canterbury and her appointment will change our Church and the whole Anglican Communion forever.

“I and all of us in Bath and Wells, will be praying for Sarah, Eamonn and their family as Sarah prepares to take on this role.”

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