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The 63-year-old former NHS chief nurse has been selected as the new Archbishop of Canterbury designate - creating a milestone as the initial female to be selected for this prestigious role.

A former NHS chief nurse, the sixty-three-year-old entered the priesthood in 2006 and was appointed as the initial woman to serve as Bishop of London in 2018 - occupying the third highest position of religious leadership in the Church of England.

This marks the first time in nearly 500 years of history that the Church has nominated a female to assume its leadership.

Groundbreaking Appointment

The Church has been without someone in the top job for approximately twelve months after the previous Archbishop stepped down over a safeguarding scandal.

He resigned following a critical investigation into a serial offender linked to the Church. The investigation found that he "was able and obligated" have reported the misconduct by John Smyth of male youths to law enforcement in 2013.

The Archbishop of York assumed most of Mr Welby's responsibilities in an interim move, and was among those casting ballots of the body tasked with choosing his replacement.

Political Process

Following established custom, the process of selecting a new archbishop involves a name being given to the Prime Minister and then passed to the sovereign.

Sir Keir has applauded Dame Sarah's appointment, commenting: "The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and look forward to working together."

While, technically, the King is head of the Church of England, the individual occupying the position of Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Royal and Global Response

The monarch has praised the new Archbishop on her new role, "which is of such importance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion", Buckingham Palace stated.

The international conservative Anglican group, which advocates for traditional positions, has criticised the selection, stating that although certain groups support the decision, "the majority of the Anglican Communion still maintains that the Bible requires a male-only episcopacy."

Handover Process

She does not legally take on her position until a confirmation of election in January, and an installation ceremony comes subsequently, after they have paid homage to the King.

In a statement on the announcement day after her new role was finalized, she stated: "I know this is a significant undertaking but I approach it with a feeling of calm and faith in divine guidance to support me as has consistently occurred."

Addressing media at Canterbury Cathedral, she said that "in an age that seeks absolute answers and group identity, the Anglican tradition offers something quieter but stronger."

Responding to Attack

Addressing the "terrible attack" of the previous day's incident on a synagogue in the northern city, she stated "we are witnessing prejudice that rises up through fractures across our society."

She added: "The religious community have a responsibility to be a group who support the Jewish community against prejudice against Jews in every manifestation. Hatred and racism of all types cannot be allowed to tear us apart."

Professional History

A mother of two, she spent over 35 years in the NHS, achieving the position of the most junior person to serve as chief nurse for the country in 1999.

Although she was volunteering in the religious community at the period, it was just a few years later that she chose to enter a clergy member and was quickly tasked with helping make reforms in the way the institution addressed misconduct.

In 2012 she became canon treasurer at the historic church before assuming the role of Bishop of Crediton in the diocese of Exeter in 2015.

As London's religious leader she was regarded as someone who applied her background as an NHS administrator to help update the church district.

Guiding Principles

"People frequently inquire what it has been like to have had two careers, initially in the NHS and currently in the religious institution.

"I prefer to think that I have consistently maintained one vocation: to follow Jesus Christ, to understand his teachings and to share his message, always seeking to live with compassion in the assistance to people, whether as a nurse, a priest, or a church official."

Upcoming Responsibilities

Perhaps the pressing issue in her agenda is still to develop improved approaches towards addressing abuse and treating with more compassion those impacted by such incidents.

There has also been a reduction in religious participation, though the capital has to some extent resisted this pattern.

A particular subject she has been most outspoken about is end-of-life choices - she is a strong critic, as was her preceding Archbishop.

When the law was passed in the Commons, she characterized it as "impractical and dangerous and creates danger to the most vulnerable people in our community."

Modern Positions

One of her roles as London's religious leader was to chair a committee trying to guide the Church's decision on whether to sanction gay unions.

She described the decision to finally allow priests to bless same-sex couples in last year as "a moment of hope for the Church."

Rowan Williams, summarised her position as necessitating a "awareness of current affairs and a understanding of scripture."

Dr Williams told media outlets "the pressure of having an opinion on everything is significantly demanding."