Best of the Spectator Holy Smoke: the first female Archbishop of Canterbury
Oct 3, 2025
Rev'd Marcus Walker, Rector of St Bartholomew the Great, discusses Dame Sarah Mullally's groundbreaking appointment as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. They explore her impressive background as a professional nurse and her pastoral reputation for approachability. Walker highlights her support for low-income parishes and the balance between managerial oversight and local trust. The conversation also touches on her nuanced political views and reluctance to push for liturgical changes, while emphasizing her potential popularity among clergy.
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Pastoral, Hands-On Bishop
- Sarah Mullally personally stepped in to cover a priest at short notice during COVID and provided pastoral support when the guest's father was dying.
- Rev'd Marcus Walker uses these experiences to illustrate her hands-on pastoral style.
Favors Local Funding Over Central Control
- As head of the triennium funding review Mullally shifted money back to low-income parishes and reversed some centralising decisions.
- Marcus sees this as evidence she trusts local parishes more than the centre and prioritises parish support.
Manager Who Lets Parishes Breathe
- Mullally combines managerial experience with a tendency to 'get out of the way' and trust local ministry.
- Marcus argues that competent management can help address Church of England chaos without crushing parish autonomy.