Sarah Mullally

Sarah Mullally
Name	Sarah Mullally
Church	Church of England
Diocese	Diocese of London
See	London
Term	2018–present
Predecessor	Richard Chartres
Ordination	2001
Consecration	2015
Consecrated by	Justin Welby
Other post	Bishop of Crediton (2015–2018), Chief Nursing Officer for England (1999–2004)
Birth date	26 March 1962
Birth place	London, England
Spouse	Eamonn Mullally
Alma mater	University of South Wales, London South Bank University, Anglia Ruskin University, St John's College, Nottingham

Sarah Mullally. Sarah Mullally is a senior bishop in the Church of England, serving as the Bishop of London since 2018, a historic role that places her as the most senior woman in the church's hierarchy. Before her ordination, she had a distinguished career in the National Health Service, rising to become the Chief Nursing Officer for England. Her unique path from senior healthcare leadership to high ecclesiastical office has made her a significant figure in discussions on faith, public service, and leadership in contemporary British society.

Early life and education

Sarah Mullally was born in London and grew up in the County of Devon. She studied economics initially, graduating from the University of South Wales in Pontypridd. Feeling a call to nursing, she undertook her training at the South Bank Polytechnic, qualifying as a nurse. Her academic pursuits in healthcare continued with a master's degree in turn from Anglia Ruskin University. Her theological education for ordained ministry was completed at St John's College, Nottingham, an evangelical Anglican theological college.

Nursing career

Mullally's clinical career began in the National Health Service at the Westminster Hospital and later at the Royal Marsden Hospital, a world-renowned specialist cancer centre. She specialized in oncology and palliative care, working in prominent London hospitals. Her administrative and leadership skills led to her appointment as the Chief Nursing Officer for England in 1999, serving under the Department of Health and Social Care during the government of Tony Blair. In this role, she was a key advisor to the Secretary of State for Health and was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for her services to nursing.

Ordained ministry

Feeling a vocation to ministry, Mullally left the National Health Service and was ordained as a deacon in 2001 and a priest in 2002 in the Diocese of London. She served her curacy at St Saviour's Church, Battersea Fields in the Deanery of Wandsworth. She later became team rector of the Sutton Team Ministry in the Diocese of Southwark. In 2012, she was appointed a Canon Residentiary of Salisbury Cathedral, where she served until her nomination to the episcopate. She was consecrated as a bishop in 2015 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at St Paul's Cathedral, becoming the Bishop of Crediton, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Exeter.

Bishop of London

In 2018, following the retirement of Richard Chartres, Mullally was appointed the Bishop of London, the first woman to hold this ancient see. The appointment was announced by Prime Minister Theresa May and confirmed at a ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral. As Bishop of London, she sits in the House of Lords as a Lord Spiritual and holds a seat on the Privy Council. She leads the Diocese of London, which includes the City of London and the historic London Boroughs, and is a key advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury on issues of urban ministry and health.

Views and theology

Mullally describes her theological stance as a "passionate moderate" and is broadly associated with the Open Evangelical tradition within the Church of England. She has been a vocal advocate for the full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of the church while acknowledging the ongoing debates within the Anglican Communion. She frequently speaks on the intersection of faith and science, drawing on her background in the National Health Service, and has been involved in initiatives addressing modern slavery and urban poverty. Her views often emphasize pastoral care and social justice.

Personal life

Sarah Mullally is married to Eamonn Mullally, a former IT consultant; the couple has two adult children. She was treated for breast cancer in 2007, an experience that has informed her pastoral and public health advocacy. In her limited leisure time, she is a supporter of Exeter Chiefs rugby club and enjoys gardening. She maintains a strong interest in healthcare policy and continues to contribute to national discussions on nursing and public health.

Category:Anglican bishops of London Category:21st-century Anglican bishops in England Category:English nurses