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Throughout the nation, many rejoiced the selection of the pioneering female senior bishop of the Church of England. After generations of women pushing for positions of authority within the religious institution, a female leader will now occupy the top role in the Church of England. This appointment was celebrated not only because the bishop is a female, but due to the fact she is considered a wise, knowledgeable, brave, and compassionate leader.

Criticism and Concerns

Unsurprisingly, certain groups voiced displeasure—whether due to her gender or because of her support for the blessing of LGBT unions. Additionally, a number of raised concerns about a significant safeguarding case in the past that was mismanaged under her oversight in the regional church body of the capital.

Still, Bishop Sarah—although rather small in size—possesses resilience, which is necessary. She has survived a lengthy period as bishop of the capital, encompassing one of the most contentious areas in the country regarding female priests and bishops. It is estimated that one in five parishes in the city have passed resolutions to restrict women from leading congregations or consecrating the Eucharist. She has encountered gender-based discrimination: earlier this year, at the General Synod, she became emotional while recalling the many micro-aggressions she has experienced. One can assume that a few of those occurrences were far from minor.

Hurdles in Authority

In her role as archbishop of Canterbury, she will lead a church that is accepting of women serving as clergy, but simultaneously, it includes seven serving senior clergy who welcome her as their new leader but decline to take Eucharist from her. Furthermore, a senior clergy member rejects the idea that females should be in leadership over males in the religious institution. According to data, nearly 600 parishes continue to limit female clergy, where she might not be able to preside over the bread and wine or preach.

As international leader as head of the Anglican communion—comprising 85 million people in over 165 countries—she will also face challenges because of her sex. While the majority of regions in the Anglican communion now accept women clergy, some refuse to. Her position on same-sex relations—she is in favour of allowing priests to sanction gay unions, if they agree—is likewise criticised by certain factions. Significant and powerful groups within the Anglican Church and global community oppose this. Gafcon, a group of conservative churches, has already announced that it receives the news of her selection with sorrow.

Future Prospects

Thus, how will this all play out?

When Bishop Sarah is enthroned as archbishop in March the coming year, there will be just six years before she is expected to retire at seventy years old. Yet much she can achieve in this period. To do that, it is thought she will must show leadership that takes the church in a clear direction. In the past, the primary goal has been unity, and those in charge have struggled to decide to agree with everyone—despite established procedures for resolving disputes through prayerful debates and votes at General Synod.

This has brought to a point where extra clergy are assigned exclusively for those who reject women in leadership. The temptation will be to demand more alternative episcopal oversight on other issues, such as same-sex blessings. However this direction will lead to further division and more members being unable to give or receive the bread and wine together—an act that is central of the essence to be a congregation. Having the courage to adhere to procedures, make rulings, and avoid providing complicated and expensive provision for the losing side will result in not only clear direction, but in the end enhanced cohesion as well.

Recently, while visiting a Anglican school, a student mentioned that a boy had claimed that the scriptures says females need to be subordinate of males. It would have been preferable to explain that this is not what the Church of England holds, full stop. Yet I could not—as churches are permitted to teach this. Given today’s society with so many problems, widespread hatred, misogyny, and racism, it would be beneficial for the Anglican Church to have an genuine leader at its top that challenges the systems of male privilege that drive violence and abuse against women and addresses the systemic sexism that is presently being ignored. It is hoped that the appointment of the first female senior bishop will be a big step in the direction of this.