Who is Sarah Mullally?

Who is Sarah Mullally?

From Holy Smoke by The Spectator

March 17, 2026 · 45 min

About this episode

This episode features Andrew Atherstone discussing Sarah Mullally's upcoming role as Archbishop of Canterbury and her views on controversial topics.

One week from the enthronement of Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, her biographer Andrew Atherstone – Professor of Modern Anglicanism at Oxford University – joins Damian Thompson for this episode of Holy Smoke . This marks the second profession she has risen to, having first been the most senior nurse in England & Wales. Archbishop Mullally has led an 'ordinary, suburban' life and is by all accounts well-liked by her congregations but what do we know of her views on some of the most controversial topics in her in-tray: abortion, gay blessings and safeguarding – to name but a few. Is it fair to say she is the 'Welby-continuity' candidate? Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Damian Thompson

Guest: Andrew Atherstone

Topics covered

  • Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Sarah Mullally
  • Anglicanism
  • religious views
  • contemporary issues

Keywords

  • Sarah Mullally
  • Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Andrew Atherstone
  • religion
  • Anglicanism
  • controversial topics
  • Damian Thompson

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Oxford University, The Spectator, Acast

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