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Across England, many welcomed the announcement of the pioneering woman archbishop of Canterbury. After ages of female members seeking for positions of authority within the church, a woman will now occupy the most senior position in the Anglican Church. This appointment was celebrated not only because the candidate is a woman, but due to the fact she is seen as a insightful, intelligent, brave, and caring leader.

Criticism and Issues

Naturally, some individuals expressed discontent—either due to her sex or because of her endorsement for the approval of LGBT unions. Moreover, some pointed out concerns about a serious protection incident in the past that was poorly addressed during her tenure in the diocese of the capital.

Still, the bishop—while rather small in stature—has great strength, which she will need. She has survived a lengthy period as senior clergy of the capital, encompassing one of the most contentious areas in the nation regarding women in clergy roles. Sources suggest that 20% of parishes in the city have adopted resolutions to restrict women from serving as vicars or blessing the bread and wine. The bishop has faced gender-based discrimination: earlier this year, at the General Synod, she broke down in tears while describing the numerous subtle slights she has experienced. One can assume that some of those incidents were quite significant.

Hurdles in Leadership

In her role as archbishop of Canterbury, she will lead a church that is accepting of women being priests and bishops, but at the same time, there are seven current senior clergy who accept her as their new leader but decline to take Eucharist from her. Furthermore, one bishop does not believe that females should hold authority over men in the church. Per reports, nearly 600 churches still restrict female clergy, where it may be impossible for her to lead the bread and wine or deliver sermons.

As international leader as leader of the Anglican communion—comprising eighty-five million people in more than 165 nations—she will also encounter challenges because of her sex. While most regions in the global church now accept women clergy, some do not. Her position on same-sex relations—she supports allowing clergy to bless same-sex relationships, if they agree—is also criticised by some. Significant and influential groups within the Anglican Church and global community resist this. A conservative network, a alliance of traditionalist congregations, has publicly announced that it receives the appointment of her selection with disappointment.

Future Prospects

So, what lies ahead?

By the time Bishop Sarah is formally installed as archbishop in spring the coming year, she will only have six years before her retirement at age 70. There is nonetheless a lot she can achieve in this period. To do that, I believe she will must demonstrate leadership that guides the church in a defined path. In the past, the primary goal has been cohesion, and leaders have gone round in circles to please all sides—even with proper processes for making difficult decisions through discussions and ballots at General Synod.

This has brought to a situation where additional clergy are assigned solely for those who do not accept women in leadership. The temptation will be to ask for more alternative episcopal oversight on additional matters, such as LGBT rites. However such a path will lead to further division and more members being not allowed to give or receive the Eucharist together—an act that is central of the essence to be a church. Demonstrating the courage to follow due process, take decisions, and not always making complex and expensive accommodations for those who don’t win the vote will result in not just clear direction, but in the end greater cohesion too.

Recently, while visiting a Anglican educational institution, a young woman stated that a boy had claimed that the scriptures teaches women need to be under the authority of men. It would have been preferable to tell her that this does not reflect what the Anglican Church holds, full stop. But I could not—as churches are allowed to promote this. In a world with so many problems, so much hatred, sexism, and discrimination, it would be beneficial for the Church of England to have an genuine voice at its helm that challenges the structures of gender bias that fuel harm against females and confronts the systemic sexism that is currently being overlooked. It is hoped that the appointment of the pioneering woman archbishop of Canterbury will be a significant move in the direction of that goal.