AFP, Canterbury

A former nurse made history Wednesday when she was enthroned as teh Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to lead the centuries-old mother church of the world’s 85 million-strong Anglican community.

Sarah Mullally, 63, formally steps into the role after an abuse scandal led to the departure of her predecessor.

The former midwife was formally installed in the historic ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England in front of around 2,000 people, including heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Catherine.

In accordance with tradition, the ceremony began with Mullally knocking three times with a staff on the cathedral’s west door to request admission.

Dressed in deep yellow-gold robes, she was greeted by local school children who asked why she had been sent.

“I am sent as archbishop to serve you, to proclaim the love of Christ and with you to worship and love him with heart and soul, mind and strength,” she responded.

The ceremony then culminated with Mullally being seated on two different thrones.

The seats symbolise the dual responsibilities of the role -- as a bishop in the diocese of Canterbury and as the spiritual leader of Anglicans worldwide.

Mullally’s predecessor Justin Welby announced his resignation as head of the Church of England in November 2024 over failures in handling an abuse scandal.