A New Dawn in Faith

KAYODE AJULO & CO. CASTLE OF LAW, is a fully established corporate and litigation law office with established and well equipped up-to-date state of the art information technology to facilitate seamless operation locally and internationally

A New Dawn in Faith: The Philosophical Significance of Sarah Mullally’s Appointment

A New Dawn in Faith: The Philosophical Significance of Sarah Mullally’s Appointment as the First Female Archbishop of Canterbury

…Sir Olukayode Ajulo, OON, SAN

In a momentous chapter etched into the annals of ecclesiastical history, the Church of England has appointed Sarah Mullally as its first female Archbishop of Canterbury. This landmark decision not only signals a transformative shift in the governance of Anglican Christianity across the globe but also represents a profound evolution within the very fabric of the British establishment.

The Archbishop of Canterbury occupies a distinguished station within this establishment, serving as the highest-ranking bishop and spiritual leader of the Church of England, the established church of the realm. Within the order of precedence, the Archbishop is ranked just beneath the Sovereign i. e. the Crown, positioned above most other officials, including the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet, but always below the monarch.

To emphasise this hierarchy, in the established order of precedence, I observe:

  1. The Sovereign (the reigning monarch)
  2. Archbishop of Canterbury
  3. Archbishop of York
  4. Prime Minister
  5. Other senior government officials and dignitaries

This ranking underscores the historical significance of the Church of England and the vital role the Archbishop plays within the national context, serving as a beacon of moral and ethical leadership.

The occupant of this esteemed office is often regarded as the “first among equals” among bishops. As one of the Lords Spiritual, the Archbishop also holds a seat in the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the UK Parliament. This position bestows upon the Archbishop the capacity to influence legislation, particularly in matters of moral consequence. The Archbishop emerges not merely as a leader but as a voice of reason and compassion in public discourse.

 

Read More