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Across the nation, countless welcomed the news of the pioneering woman senior bishop of Canterbury. Following centuries of women pushing for leadership roles within the religious institution, a woman will now occupy the most senior role in the Anglican Church. The selection was welcomed not just because the candidate is a female, but because she is widely regarded as a wise, intelligent, courageous, and caring figurehead.

Opposition and Concerns

Of course, certain individuals expressed unhappiness—whether due to the fact she is a woman or because of her endorsement for the approval of same-sex relationships. Additionally, some raised concerns about a serious safeguarding incident five years ago that was not handled well by her team in the regional church body of the capital.

However, the bishop—while rather small in size—has broad shoulders, which will be essential. She endured a lengthy period as senior clergy of London, which covers one of the most polarised regions in the nation regarding female priests and bishops. Reports indicate that 20% of parishes in London have passed resolutions to limit female clergy from leading congregations or consecrating the bread and wine. The bishop has faced gender-based discrimination: in February, at the church assembly, she broke down in tears while recalling the many micro-aggressions she has experienced. One can assume that some of those occurrences were far from minor.

Challenges in Authority

As the senior bishop, Bishop Sarah will lead a religious body that is accepting of females serving as clergy, but simultaneously, there are seven current bishops who accept her as their new leader but would not personally receive communion from her. In addition, a senior clergy member does not believe that females should hold authority over males in the church. According to reports, around six hundred parishes still restrict female clergy, where she might not be able to lead the Eucharist or preach.

In her global role as leader of the Anglican communion—including eighty-five million members in over 165 countries—she will additionally face challenges because of her gender. Although the majority of regions in the global church now accept female priests and bishops, a few refuse to. Her position on LGBT issues—she is in favour of permitting clergy to bless same-sex relationships, provided they consent—is also criticised by some. Major and powerful factions within the Anglican Church and Anglican communion oppose this. Gafcon, a alliance of traditionalist congregations, has already stated that it views the appointment of Bishop Sarah’s appointment negatively.

The Path Forward

Thus, how will this all play out?

By the time she is formally installed as senior bishop in March the coming year, she will only have a limited time before her retirement at seventy years old. Yet much she can achieve in that time. For this, it is thought she will need to show guidance that guides the church in a clear direction. In the past, the primary goal has been cohesion, and those in charge 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 led to a point where additional bishops are appointed solely for those who do not accept female priests or bishops. The risk will be to demand further alternative episcopal oversight on other issues, such as same-sex blessings. But this direction will lead to more fragmentation and increased members being not allowed to give or receive the Eucharist collectively—something that is central of what it means to be a church. Having the bravery to adhere to procedures, make rulings, and avoid providing complicated and costly accommodations for those who don’t win the vote will bring not only clarity, but ultimately enhanced unity as well.

Recently, while visiting a Anglican school, a young woman stated that a boy had claimed that the scriptures teaches females must be subordinate of males. I would have liked to tell her that this is not what the Anglican Church believes, period. Yet that was not possible—as churches are allowed to promote this. Given today’s society with numerous issues, widespread hostility, sexism, and discrimination, it would be positive for the Church of England to have an genuine leader at its helm that calls out the structures of gender bias that drive violence and abuse against females and addresses the systemic sexism that is presently being ignored. It is hoped that the selection of the first female archbishop of Canterbury will be a big step towards this.