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

Previously England's chief nursing officer, the 63-year-old entered the priesthood in 2006 and was appointed as the first female Bishop of London in 2018 - the third most senior member of religious leadership in the Anglican Church.

This signifies the initial occasion in almost five centuries of history that the Church has chosen a woman to lead it.

Groundbreaking Selection

The Anglican Church has been without someone in the top job for almost a year after Justin Welby stepped down over a protection controversy.

He stepped down following a critical investigation into a prolific child abuser linked to the religious institution. The investigation found that he "was able and obligated" have notified authorities about John Smyth's abuse of boys and young men to law enforcement in 2013.

The Archbishop of York took on most of the former Archbishop's responsibilities in an temporary arrangement, and was one of the voting members of the body charged with choosing his successor.

Political Procedure

In line with tradition, the procedure of choosing a spiritual leader involves a name being given to the Prime Minister and then forwarded to the sovereign.

Sir Keir has welcomed Dame Sarah's appointment, stating: "The Archbishop of Canterbury will serve an important function in our country's affairs. I wish her every success and anticipate collaborating."

While, technically, the monarch is leader of the Anglican Church, the individual holding the role of spiritual leader is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the religious institution and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Royal and Global Response

King Charles III has congratulated the new Archbishop on her appointment, "which is of such importance in the UK and across the worldwide Anglican community", Buckingham Palace announced.

The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, which advocates for traditional positions, has criticised the appointment, saying that although some will welcome it, "the majority of the global church still believes that the Bible mandates a all-male bishopric."

Transition Period

She does not legally take on her position until a confirmation of election in January, and an enthronement service comes later, after they have pledged allegiance to the King.

In a declaration on Friday after her new role was finalized, she commented: "I know this is a significant undertaking but I approach it with a feeling of calm and trust in God to carry me as He always has."

Addressing media at Canterbury Cathedral, she noted that "in an age that craves certainty and tribalism, Anglicanism provides a more subtle approach but stronger."

Addressing Violence

Talking about the "horrific violence" of Thursday's attack on a synagogue in the northern city, she stated "we observe prejudice that emerges through fractures across our communities."

She continued: "We then as a Church have a duty to be a people who stand with the Jewish people against antisemitism in all its forms. Hatred and racism of all types cannot be permitted to divide our society."

Professional History

Married with two children, she devoted more than three decades in the National Health Service, becoming the youngest-ever chief nursing officer for the country in 1999.

While serving voluntarily in the Church at the period, it was just a short time after that she chose to enter a clergy member and was quickly tasked with helping implement changes in the way the institution dealt with abuse.

In that year she became financial administrator at Salisbury Cathedral before becoming Bishop of Crediton in the regional church administration in 2015.

As Bishop of London she was seen as someone who used her experience as an health service manager to help update the church district.

Personal Philosophy

"I am often asked what it has been like to have had different professional paths, initially in the NHS and now in the Church.

"I prefer to think that I have always had one vocation: to pursue Christian faith, to understand his teachings and to make him known, always seeking to live with compassion in the service of others, whether as a healthcare professional, a priest, or a church official."

Future Challenges

Perhaps the most urgent thing in her in-tray is still to chart a better path towards dealing with misconduct and approaching with greater empathy those impacted by such incidents.

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

A particular subject she has been most outspoken about is end-of-life choices - she is a vociferous opponent, as was her predecessor.

When the law was approved in the Commons, she characterized it as "unworkable and unsafe and poses a risk to the most vulnerable people in our community."

Modern Positions

Among her responsibilities as Bishop of London was to lead a body trying to steer the religious institution's determination on whether to bless same-sex marriages.

She described the decision to ultimately permit clergy to bless same-sex couples in 2023 as "a moment of hope for the Church."

A former Archbishop, described her position as requiring a "awareness of current affairs and a Bible in the other."

The former spiritual leader explained to media outlets "the expectation of having an position on all matters is quite heavy."