Read the Full Transcript: The New Archbishop of Canterbury's First Presidential Address
Full transcript of Archbishop Sarah Mullally's first presidential address to General Synod
Full Transcript of Archbishop Sarah Mullally First Presidential Address to Church of England General Synod
Dame Sarah Mullally, the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, delivered her first presidential address to the Church of England General Synod on February 10, 2026, just days after swearing her oath to King Charles III. In the landmark speech, Mullally confronted the Church's safeguarding failures, declaring that the institution had "fallen tragically short" of its duty to protect the vulnerable. She pledged a trauma informed approach that puts victims and survivors "at the heart of all we do." Beyond safeguarding, Mullally laid out her vision for the Church of England under her leadership, calling for renewal, unity across theological divides, and a recommitment to mission. She emphasized the importance of the Church's role in national life while acknowledging the challenges of declining attendance and cultural relevance. The address marked the beginning of a new era for the Church of England following the resignation of her predecessor Justin Welby over safeguarding failures.
Archbishop Mullally Sets Vision for Church of England in Historic First Address
The Crusader's Opinion
The words were right. Safeguarding. Victims first. Trauma informed. Independence. We have heard these words before. The question that hangs over every pew in the Church of England is simple: will this time be different? Archbishop Mullally has the opportunity to rebuild trust that her predecessors destroyed. The entire Church is watching to see whether this address becomes action or joins the archive of well intentioned speeches that changed nothing.
Take Action
- Learn: Read the full transcript of Archbishop Mullally's first presidential address.
- Share: Share this address. The direction of the Church of England affects 85 million Anglicans worldwide.
- Pray: Pray for Archbishop Mullally as she leads the Church of England through a critical period of reform.
