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Across the nation, countless welcomed the news of the first ever female senior bishop of Canterbury. Following centuries of women seeking for leadership roles within the church, a woman will now occupy the most senior position in the Anglican Church. The selection was welcomed not just because she is a woman, but because she is widely regarded as a wise, knowledgeable, courageous, and compassionate leader.

Opposition and Concerns

Unsurprisingly, some groups voiced discontent—whether due to her gender or owing to her support for the approval of same-sex relationships. Additionally, some pointed out worries about a serious safeguarding case in the past that was not handled well by her team in the diocese of the capital.

Still, the bishop—although quite small in size—possesses broad shoulders, which is necessary. She endured seven years as bishop of the capital, encompassing one of the most contentious areas in the country regarding female priests and bishops. Sources suggest that 20% of parishes in the city have passed measures to limit women from serving as vicars or consecrating the Eucharist. The bishop has encountered gender-based discrimination: earlier this year, at the General Synod, she broke down in tears while recalling the numerous daily prejudices she has endured. It is likely that some of those incidents were not micro at all.

Hurdles in Leadership

In her role as archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Sarah will preside over a church that is open to females being clergy, but at the same time, it includes seven current senior clergy who accept her as their incoming leader but would not personally receive communion from her. Furthermore, a senior clergy member does not believe that females should hold authority over men in the church. According to data, nearly 600 churches continue to restrict women, where it may be impossible for her to lead the bread and wine or deliver sermons.

In her global role as head of the worldwide Anglican church—comprising eighty-five million people in more than 165 countries—she will additionally face challenges due to her sex. While the majority of regions in the global church do ordain female priests and bishops, a few refuse to. Her stance on LGBT issues—she supports allowing clergy to sanction gay unions, if they agree—is likewise opposed by certain factions. Major and influential groups within the Anglican Church and Anglican communion oppose this. Gafcon, a group of traditionalist congregations, has already announced that it views the appointment of Bishop Sarah’s selection with disappointment.

Future Prospects

Thus, what lies ahead?

By the time Bishop Sarah is enthroned as senior bishop in March next year, there will be just six years before her retirement at age 70. Yet much she can achieve in that time. For this, it is thought she will need to demonstrate guidance that guides the church in a defined path. In the past, the rallying cry has been cohesion, and leaders have gone round in circles to agree with everyone—despite proper processes for resolving disputes through prayerful debates and votes at the church assembly.

Such an approach has brought to a point where extra clergy are appointed exclusively for congregations who do not accept women in leadership. The temptation will be to ask for more separate leadership on other issues, such as LGBT rites. But this direction will result in further division and more people being not allowed to share the Eucharist together—an act that is at the very heart of what it means to be a congregation. Having the bravery to adhere to procedures, take decisions, and not always making complicated and expensive provision for those who don’t win the vote will bring not just clear direction, but ultimately enhanced unity as well.

Not long ago, while visiting a Church of England educational institution, a young woman mentioned that a male peer had claimed that the scriptures says women must be under the authority of men. It would have been preferable to explain that this does not reflect what the Church of England believes, full stop. Yet that was not possible—as parishes are allowed to promote this. In a world with so many problems, so much hatred, sexism, and racism, it would be beneficial for the Church of England to have an genuine leader at its helm that calls out the systems of gender bias that drive harm against women and addresses the systemic sexism that is currently being ignored. Hopefully that the appointment of the first female senior bishop will be a significant move in the direction of that goal.