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

Previously England's chief nursing officer, the 63-year-old entered the priesthood in 2006 and was appointed as the initial woman to serve as Bishop of London in 2018 - occupying the third highest position of religious leadership in the Church of England.

This marks the first time in almost five centuries of tradition that the Anglican Communion has selected a woman to lead it.

Historic Selection

The Church has been without someone in the senior role for approximately twelve months after the previous Archbishop resigned over a protection controversy.

He resigned following a damning report into a serial offender associated with the religious institution. The investigation found that he "was able and obligated" have notified authorities about John Smyth's abuse of male youths to law enforcement in 2013.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell assumed most of the former Archbishop's responsibilities in an interim move, and was among those casting ballots of the committee tasked with choosing his replacement.

Political Process

In line with tradition, the process of selecting a new archbishop involves a name being given to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then passed to the sovereign.

Sir Keir has welcomed the selection of Dame Sarah, stating: "This position will serve an important function in our country's affairs. I offer my best wishes and look forward to collaborating."

Although formally, the monarch is leader of the Church of England, the person holding the role of spiritual leader is the highest-ranking cleric and is the spiritual leader of the religious institution and the global Anglican community.

Royal and Global Response

King Charles III has congratulated Dame Sarah on her new role, "a position of great significance in the United Kingdom and across the worldwide Anglican community", the royal household said.

The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, which advocates for traditional positions, has questioned the selection, stating that although certain groups support the decision, "the majority of the global church still maintains that the scriptures mandates a male-only episcopacy."

Handover Process

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

In a statement on Friday after her new role was confirmed, she stated: "I recognize this is a significant undertaking but I undertake it with a feeling of calm and trust in God to support me as has consistently occurred."

Speaking from the historic church, she said that "in an age that craves certainty and group identity, Anglicanism provides a more subtle approach but more resilient."

Responding to Attack

Addressing the "terrible attack" of Thursday's attack on a synagogue in the northern city, she stated "we are witnessing prejudice that rises up through fractures across our society."

She added: "We then as a Church have a duty to be a group who support the Jewish community against prejudice against Jews in every manifestation. Prejudice and discrimination of all types cannot be allowed to tear us apart."

Background and Career

Married with two children, she spent over 35 years in the NHS, becoming the most junior person to serve as chief nurse for the country in 1999.

While serving voluntarily in the religious community at the period, it was just a few years later that she decided to become a priest and was quickly tasked with helping implement changes in the way the organization dealt with misconduct.

In that year she became financial administrator at Salisbury Cathedral before becoming diocesan leader in the diocese of Exeter in 2015.

As Bishop of London she was regarded as someone who used her experience as an health service manager to help update the church district.

Personal Philosophy

"I am often asked what it has been like to have had different professional paths, first in the NHS and currently in the religious institution.

"I like to consider that I have consistently maintained a single calling: to follow Jesus Christ, to understand his teachings and to share his message, always seeking to demonstrate empathy in the service of others, whether as a healthcare professional, a religious leader, or a bishop."

Future Challenges

Perhaps the most urgent thing in her in-tray is still to develop improved approaches towards addressing misconduct and approaching with greater empathy those impacted by such incidents.

There has also been a reduction in religious participation, though London has to a degree resisted this pattern.

One of the areas she has been particularly vocal on is end-of-life choices - she is a vociferous opponent, as was her predecessor.

When the law was passed in the Commons, she characterized it as "impractical and dangerous and poses a risk to the most vulnerable people in our society."

Progressive Stances

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

She characterized the determination to ultimately permit clergy to bless same-sex couples in last year as "an optimistic development for the religious community."

Rowan Williams, summarised her position as requiring a "newspaper in one hand and a understanding of scripture."

Dr Williams explained to journalists "the pressure of having an position on all matters is significantly demanding."