Mullally makes history, againpublished at 10:04 BST
Aleem Maqbool
Religion editor
Image source, PA Media
For the first time in nearly 500 years of history, the Church of England has nominated a woman to lead it.
Dame Sarah Mullally, 63, has been appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury Designate.
She was breaking new ground in her chosen profession even before she became a priest.
In 1999 she became the youngest ever chief nursing officer for England.
For more than seven years she has served as Bishop of London, the third most senior member of clergy in the Church and the first woman to do that job.
Women have only been allowed to become priests in the Church of England since the mid-1990s.
But there are senior bishops in the Church of England who are openly opposed to women joining the priesthood at all, never mind leading the institution.
Legislation requires Archbishops of Canterbury to retire at the age of 70, which is perhaps one reason why some had not viewed Dame Sarah Mullally as a front runner to be selected.
Instead she has made history. A date for her enthronement ceremony is yet to be announced.
