First Woman Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury Faces Safeguarding Criticism. Bishop Sarah Mullally's Historic Appointment Draws Petition Opposing Consecration

By David W. Virtue, DD

www.virtueonline.org

January 2, 2026

The appointment of London Bishop Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury—making her the first woman to lead the worldwide Anglican Communion—ranked among the top religion news stories of 2025. However, her upcoming consecration is facing opposition over allegations of safeguarding failures during her tenure as Bishop of London.

Petition Calls for Consecration to be Halted

A petition on Change.org, initiated by Church of England priest the Rev. Paul Williamson, is calling for Mullally's consecration at St. Paul's Cathedral to be stopped. The petition hopes to garner 10,000 signatures.

Williamson raises questions of accountability regarding the death of the Revd Alan Griffin, who died by suicide while serving under Mullally's episcopal oversight. According to Williamson, a coroner's inquest revealed concerning details about how allegations against Griffin were handled.

"She kept a file of false sexual allegations about Revd Alan Griffin for two years," Williamson stated, citing testimony from Coroner Mary Hassell. He alleges that Mullally did not investigate the claims to determine their validity, yet treated them as factual. Williamson further claims that Griffin's confidential medical information, including HIV status and records of suicide attempts, was improperly shared, along with a statement that police were investigating him—which Williamson says was untrue.

"He was truly vulnerable," Williamson said. "He should have had first-class care and support. He could not cope. There was no pastoral or professional support provided. He committed suicide."

Additional Concerns Raised

Williamson also cited the recent death of 23-year-old Keelan Shorten, an employee at St. Matthew's Church, Westminster, which falls under the Diocese of London's direct jurisdiction. He referenced five other ongoing investigations but did not provide specifics.

"This is the most appalling safeguarding—and failure of 'duty of care'—I have ever come across," Williamson said. "This is a complete meltdown of episcopal responsibility. No apology will bring this priest back to life."

The petition can be accessed at: https://www.change.org/SarahMullallyMustGo

Broader Reactions to Appointment

News of Mullally's appointment has also drawn concern from orthodox African Anglican bishops, many of whom do not recognize the ordination of women as bishops and oppose same-sex marriage. The appointment represents a significant shift in the leadership of the Anglican Communion, which includes approximately 100 million members worldwide across diverse theological perspectives.

Church Response

As of publication, representatives for Bishop Mullally and the Diocese of London have not responded to requests for comment. The Church of England has not issued a statement addressing these allegations.