The William Temple Foundation welcomes the appointment of Rt Revd and Rt Hon Bishop Sarah Mullally DBE as the new and 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, and the first woman to hold this historic role.
Her appointment comes at a crucial time in the life of both the Church of England and the English nation. The time is pressing to rediscover and reimagine what a viable English identity or identities look like in the current context of populism and far right rhetoric.
This rhetoric is narrowing the scope and appeal of the English flag and the Union Jack as symbols of white supremacy and an opposition to otherness and diversity on which England’s economy and culture have successfully been built since the Second World War and beyond.
Some are wondering how the flag of St George and the Union Jack can be repurposed to symbolise a more inclusive society, at ease with itself and providing a safe, nurturing and creative space of all cultures and identities that find themselves contributing to the health and wellbeing of England at this time.
Some of these themes are contained in a new publication just launched by the Foundation entitled Towards the Conversion of the Church of England by the Rest of England. Details of its findings and who contributed to it can be found here. These ideas will be further explored at our Book Launch, where Professor Linda Woodhead and Professor John Denham will respond to the text. This will take place for free online, at 7-8.15pm on 28 October 2025.
Professor Chris Baker, Director of Research for the Foundation says. ‘In welcoming Bishop Sarah to her new role we are thrilled to recognise the deeply symbolic nature of this appointment. We offer our prayers and good wishes to her as she seeks to address the many challenges but also opportunities the current moment brings to reset the national debate about the sort of society we wish to be. Her predecessor Archbishop William Temple did precisely that in his book Christianity and Social order (1942) at a similar time of great urgency, and we hope that some of his optimistic spirit is with her now as she prepares for her great office.’
For further details:
Professor Christopher Baker, Director of Research, 07779 000021
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