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Throughout the nation, numerous rejoiced the selection of the first ever woman archbishop of the Church of England. After generations of female members seeking for positions of authority within the church, a female leader will now hold the top position in the Church of England. This appointment was welcomed not only because the candidate is a female, but because she is widely regarded as a insightful, knowledgeable, brave, and compassionate leader.

Criticism and Issues

Unsurprisingly, some groups voiced discontent—either due to her gender or owing to her endorsement for the approval of LGBT unions. Additionally, some pointed out worries about a serious protection case previously that was mismanaged under her oversight in the diocese of London.

Nonetheless, the bishop—although quite diminutive in size—has resilience, which she will need. She has survived seven years as bishop of the capital, which covers one of the most contentious areas in the country regarding female priests and bishops. Sources suggest that one in five churches in London have adopted measures to restrict female clergy from serving as vicars or blessing the bread and wine. The bishop has faced sexist actions: in February, at the General Synod, she became emotional while recalling the numerous daily prejudices she has experienced. I would guess that some of those incidents were quite significant.

Hurdles in Leadership

In her role as the senior bishop, she will lead a church that is open to females serving as priests and bishops, but simultaneously, there are seven current bishops who accept her as their incoming leader but decline to take Eucharist from her. Furthermore, a senior clergy member does not believe that women should hold authority over males in the religious institution. According to reports, nearly 600 churches still limit female clergy, where she might not be able to lead the bread and wine or preach.

As international leader as head of the Anglican communion—including 85 million people in over 165 nations—Bishop Sarah will also encounter challenges due to her gender. Although the majority of provinces in the global church do ordain female priests and bishops, some refuse to. Her position on LGBT issues—she supports allowing priests to sanction gay unions, if they agree—is likewise criticised by certain factions. Major and powerful factions within the Anglican Church and Anglican communion oppose this. A conservative network, a alliance of conservative churches, has publicly stated that it views the appointment of her selection with disappointment.

Future Prospects

So, how will this all play out?

By the time she is formally installed as archbishop in spring next year, she will only have a limited time before she is expected to retire at seventy years old. Yet a lot she can achieve in this period. To do that, it is thought she will must demonstrate guidance that guides the church in a defined path. Historically, the primary goal has been unity, and leaders have struggled to decide to please all sides—despite proper processes for resolving disputes through discussions and votes at the church assembly.

Such an approach has led to a point where extra clergy are appointed exclusively for congregations who do not accept women in leadership. The risk will be to ask for further alternative episcopal oversight on additional matters, such as same-sex blessings. However such a path will lead to further division and increased people being not allowed to give or receive the Eucharist collectively—an act that is central of what it means to be a church. Having the bravery to follow due process, take decisions, and not always providing complex and costly provision for the losing side will bring not only clarity, but ultimately greater unity as well.

Not long ago, in a Church of England school, a young woman mentioned that a male peer had told her that the Bible teaches females must be under the authority of males. I would have liked to tell her that this is not what the Anglican Church believes, period. But I could not—because parishes are allowed to promote this. Given today’s society with numerous issues, so much hostility, sexism, and discrimination, it would be beneficial for the Anglican Church to have an genuine leader at its top that calls out the structures of male privilege that drive harm against women and addresses the institutional misogyny that is presently being ignored. Hopefully that the appointment of the pioneering woman archbishop of Canterbury will be a big step in the direction of that goal.