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The 63-year-old former NHS chief nurse has been named as the incoming spiritual leader of the Church of England - making history as the initial female to be chosen for this prestigious role.

A former NHS chief nurse, the 63-year-old entered the priesthood in 2006 and was appointed as the initial woman to serve as Bishop of London in 2018 - occupying the third highest position of clergy in the Church of England.

This signifies the first time in almost five centuries of history that the Anglican Communion has selected a woman to guide its direction.

Historic Selection

The Anglican Church has been without someone in the top job for almost a year after Justin Welby stepped down over a protection controversy.

He departed following a critical investigation into a serial offender associated with the Church. The report found that he "could and should" have reported the misconduct by John Smyth of male youths to law enforcement in 2013.

The Archbishop of York assumed most of the former Archbishop's duties in an interim move, and was one of the voting members of the body charged with selecting his successor.

Official Procedure

In line with tradition, the procedure of choosing a new archbishop involves a candidate being given to the Prime Minister and then forwarded to the monarch.

The Prime Minister has welcomed Dame Sarah's appointment, saying: "This position will serve an important function in our country's affairs. I offer my best wishes and look forward to working together."

Although formally, the monarch is leader of the Church of England, the individual occupying the position of spiritual leader is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Royal and Global Response

King Charles III has congratulated the new Archbishop on her appointment, "a position of great significance in the United Kingdom and across the worldwide Anglican community", Buckingham Palace stated.

The international conservative Anglican group, which advocates for traditional positions, has criticised the selection, stating that although some will welcome it, "most members of the global church still believes that the Bible mandates a male-only episcopacy."

Transition Period

She will not formally assume her new role until a formal approval process in the new year, and an enthronement service comes subsequently, after they have paid homage to the monarch.

In a declaration on the announcement day after her appointment was confirmed, she stated: "I know this is a significant undertaking but I approach it with a feeling of calm and trust in God to carry me as has consistently occurred."

Addressing media at the historic church, she said that "during a period that craves certainty and group identity, Anglicanism provides a more subtle approach but stronger."

Addressing Violence

Addressing the "terrible attack" of the previous day's incident on a synagogue in the northern city, she stated "we are witnessing hatred that rises up through fractures across our society."

She added: "The religious community have a responsibility to be a people who support the Jewish people against antisemitism in all its forms. Prejudice and discrimination of all types cannot be allowed to divide our society."

Professional History

A mother of two, she spent over 35 years in the NHS, achieving the position of the most junior person to serve as chief nurse for England in 1999.

Although she was volunteering in the religious community at the time, it was just a few years later that she chose to enter a priest and was promptly assigned helping make reforms in the way the institution dealt with misconduct.

In 2012 she became financial administrator at Salisbury Cathedral before becoming Bishop of Crediton in the regional church administration in 2015.

As Bishop of London she was seen as someone who used her experience as an NHS administrator to help modernise the church district.

Personal Philosophy

"People frequently inquire what it has been like to have had two careers, first in the NHS and now in the Church.

"I prefer to think that I have always had one vocation: to follow Jesus Christ, to understand his teachings and to share his message, always seeking to live with compassion in the assistance to people, whether as a nurse, a religious leader, or a church official."

Future Challenges

Perhaps the pressing issue in her in-tray is still to develop improved approaches towards addressing misconduct and treating with more compassion those impacted by such incidents.

There has also been a reduction in religious participation, though the capital has to a degree resisted this pattern.

A particular subject she has been particularly vocal on is assisted dying - she is a vociferous opponent, as was her predecessor.

When legislation was approved in the House of Commons, she characterized it as "unworkable and unsafe and poses a risk to the most vulnerable people in our community."

Modern Positions

One of her roles as London's religious leader was to lead a committee trying to guide the religious institution's determination on whether to sanction gay unions.

She described the decision to finally allow clergy to bless same-sex couples in last year as "a moment of hope for the Church."

Rowan Williams, summarised her position as necessitating a "awareness of current affairs and a understanding of scripture."

Dr Williams explained to journalists "the expectation of having an opinion on everything is significantly demanding."