Sarah Mullally, first female Archbishop of Canterbury, was installed amid Gafcon’s leadership shakeup, signaling a more conservative shift in the Anglican Communion.
Gafcon, a conservative Anglican group, announced the creation of the Global Anglican Council during a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. The new body replaces the previous primates council, with Laurent Mbanda elected as chair. The move signals a potential shift away from the traditional Anglican Communion, emphasizing a more conciliar structure and opposition to liberal trends.
On March 25, 2026, Sarah Mullally was formally installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral, becoming the first woman to hold the role. The ceremony was attended by Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and international religious leaders. Mullally prayed for peace in conflict zones and acknowledged the Church's past safeguarding failures. Her appointment has sparked divisions within the Anglican Communion, especially with conservative groups opposing her leadership.