Story perspectives

First Female Archbishop Meets Pope Amid Anglican Split

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sarah Mullally, the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, was appointed, prompting criticism from the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).
Pope Leo XIV met Mullally in the Vatican’s Urban VIII Chapel during a pilgrimage.
GAFCON churches opposed Mullally’s leadership, reflecting Anglican division over women’s ordination and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Catholics advocating women’s ordination praised the papal meeting as a display of authority, despite Pope Leo XIV’s postponement of talks on ordaining women.

History

Historical Context

In 1976 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith declared women could not be admitted to the ministerial priesthood, a stance reinforced by Pope John Paul II’s 1994 apostolic letter *Ordinatio Sacerdotalis* and a 2002 CDF decree that labeled any contrary ordinations invalid and punishable by excommunication. Independent groups such as Womenpriests continue to challenge this long-standing Catholic teaching.

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Story summary

Sarah Mullally, the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, was appointed, prompting criticism from the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).
Pope Leo XIV met Mullally in the Vatican’s Urban VIII Chapel during a pilgrimage.
GAFCON churches opposed Mullally’s leadership, reflecting Anglican division over women’s ordination and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Catholics advocating women’s ordination praised the papal meeting as a display of authority, despite Pope Leo XIV’s postponement of talks on ordaining women.

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