Dame Sarah Mullally has been named the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England’s history. A former chief nursing officer for England, Dame Sarah is now Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, ahead of a legal ceremony expected in the coming months to confirm her position as the Church’s top bishop. Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, described the appointment as an "historic announcement" for the Church of England and for the Anglican Communion. "I warmly commend our Archbishop-designate Dame Sarah Mullaly and her family to the prayers and affections of the Diocese of Oxford," he said. Dame Sarah Mullally during a visit to Canterbury ahead of her announcement as Archbishop of Canterbury.