Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the head of the Anglican Church of England. However, her appointment has sparked controversy within the global Anglican community and may affect relations with the Catholic Church.
Curia Cardinal Kurt Koch, leader of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, expressed worries at a symposium in Vallendar near Koblenz. He pointed out that Mullally’s views on sexual ethics have caused a rift between the conservative Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) and the Church of England.
“Who will we dialogue with in the future if the Anglican world community is so divided?”
In 2023, the General Synod of the Church of England, following recommendations from bishops, decided to establish a “comprehensive pastoral service” to welcome LGBTQI+ individuals, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and other gender identities. This decision faced strong opposition, especially from African Anglicans.
As a result, the conservative Anglican network GAFCON separated from the Church of England over these differences.
The appointment of Sarah Mullally highlights deep divisions within Anglicanism, challenging ecumenical dialogue and unity across the wider Christian community.