Dame Sarah Mullally’s historic appointment as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury has sparked sharp division within the global Anglican Communion. Named on Friday as the spiritual leader of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican community, Mullally quoted an African proverb in her first address: “If you want to go fast, go alone—if you want to go far, go together.” Yet, her selection has deepened existing rifts, particularly with conservative factions.
The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (Gafcon), representing conservative churches in Africa and Asia, expressed “sorrow” over the decision. Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda, Gafcon’s leadership council chairman, argued that the majority of Anglicans believe the Bible mandates a male-only episcopacy. Gafcon also criticized Mullally’s support for blessing same-sex couples, accusing her of promoting “unbiblical and revisionist teachings” on marriage and morality. Formed in 2008 over theological disputes, particularly same-sex unions, Gafcon has long challenged liberal shifts in the Church, rejecting the previous Archbishop Justin Welby’s leadership in 2023 over similar issues.
In contrast, the Church of Southern Africa hailed the appointment as “historic” and a “thrilling development.” Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town welcomed Mullally’s leadership, while Bishop Emily Onyango, Kenya’s first female Anglican bishop, called it “a new dawn.” Onyango dismissed Gafcon’s stance as patriarchal and unbiblical, praising Mullally’s humility and listening skills as vital for addressing issues like peace and reconciliation, especially for women and children in conflict zones.
The Church of England, often seen as more progressive than many African churches—where two-thirds of Anglicans reside—has faced tensions over women’s ordination since 2014 and same-sex blessings since 2023. Gafcon insists it represents the majority of Anglicans, a claim contested by others, as views across Africa vary. When asked if Mullally’s appointment could fracture the Communion, Mbanda texted, “Nothing is irreparable with God, but it requires repentance.” He reiterated Gafcon’s call for leaders to return to biblical teachings, refusing to align with those they view as straying.
Mullally’s appointment, a milestone for gender equality in the Church, underscores the ongoing struggle between progressive and conservative visions within the Anglican Communion, with no easy resolution in sight.
