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The 63-year-old former NHS chief nurse has been named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury designate - making history as the first woman to be chosen for this important office.

A former NHS chief nurse, the 63-year-old became a priest in 2006 and was named as the first female Bishop of London in 2018 - the third most senior member of clergy in the Church of England.

This signifies the initial occasion in nearly 500 years of tradition that the Church has nominated a woman to guide its direction.

Historic Selection

The Anglican Church has been lacking an individual in the senior role for almost a year after the previous Archbishop stepped down over a protection controversy.

He departed following a damning report into a serial offender linked to the religious institution. The report found that he "could and should" have notified authorities about John Smyth's abuse of boys and young men to police in 2013.

The Archbishop of York assumed most of the former Archbishop's duties in an temporary arrangement, and was one of the voting members of the body tasked with selecting his successor.

Political Procedure

In line with tradition, the process of choosing a new archbishop involves a candidate being given to the Prime Minister and then passed to the monarch.

The Prime Minister has welcomed Dame Sarah's appointment, commenting: "This position will play a key role in our national life. I offer my best wishes and look forward to working together."

While, technically, the King is head of the Church of England, the individual occupying the position of Archbishop of Canterbury is the highest-ranking cleric and is the religious guide of the Church and the global Anglican community.

Monarchical and International Response

The monarch has congratulated the new Archbishop on her new role, "which is of such importance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion", the royal household announced.

The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, which advocates for traditional positions, has criticised the selection, stating that although some will welcome it, "the majority of the global church still believes that the scriptures requires a all-male bishopric."

Transition Period

She does not legally take on her new role until a confirmation of election in the new year, and an installation ceremony comes later, after they have pledged allegiance to the monarch.

In a statement on the announcement day after her new role was finalized, she commented: "I know this is a significant undertaking but I approach it with a feeling of calm and faith in divine guidance to support me as He always has."

Speaking from Canterbury Cathedral, she said that "during a period that seeks absolute answers and group identity, the Anglican tradition offers something quieter but more resilient."

Addressing Violence

Addressing the "horrific violence" of Thursday's attack on a Jewish house of worship in the northern city, she said "we are witnessing hatred that rises up through divisions across our communities."

She continued: "We then as a Church have a duty to be a people who stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism in all its forms. Hatred and racism of all types cannot be permitted to divide our society."

Background and Career

Married with two children, she spent over 35 years in the National Health Service, becoming the youngest-ever chief nursing officer for England in 1999.

Although she was volunteering in the Church at the period, it was just a short time after that she chose to enter a clergy member and was quickly tasked with helping implement changes in the way the organization dealt with abuse.

In 2012 she became canon treasurer at the historic church before assuming the role of Bishop of Crediton in the diocese of Exeter in 2015.

As London's religious leader she was regarded as someone who applied her background as an NHS administrator to help modernise the diocese.

Personal Philosophy

"I am often asked what it has been like to have had two careers, first in the NHS and now in the religious institution.

"I like to consider that I have consistently maintained one vocation: to follow Jesus Christ, to understand his teachings and to share his message, always seeking to live with compassion in the service of others, whether as a nurse, a priest, or a bishop."

Upcoming Responsibilities

Perhaps the most urgent thing in her in-tray is still to chart a better path towards addressing misconduct and treating with more compassion those impacted by such incidents.

There has also been a reduction in church attendance, though the capital has to a degree bucked that trend.

A particular subject she has been particularly vocal on is assisted dying - she is a vociferous opponent, as was her predecessor.

When the law was approved in the Commons, she characterized it as "unworkable and unsafe and creates danger to the most vulnerable people in our community."

Modern Positions

Among her responsibilities as London's religious leader was to lead a committee trying to steer the religious institution's determination on whether to sanction gay unions.

She described the determination to finally allow clergy to bless same-sex couples in last year as "an optimistic development for the Church."

Rowan Williams, described her new role as requiring a "awareness of current affairs and a understanding of scripture."

The former spiritual leader told journalists "the pressure of having an position on all matters is significantly demanding."