The Church of Uganda has strongly criticised the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury — the first woman to lead the Anglican Church — calling it “sad news” that threatens to deepen divisions within the global communion.
In a statement dated October 3, Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu said Mullally’s advocacy for same-sex blessings and her feminist stance represent “a departure from historic Anglican teachings that uphold Scripture as the ultimate authority.”
Mullally, 63, a former midwife and the outgoing Bishop of London, was officially confirmed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, succeeding Justin Welby. Her appointment has been celebrated in the UK as a landmark for gender equality, but met with resistance from many African provinces.
The Ugandan church — a key member of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) — warned that the decision would “further deepen the tear in the fabric of the Anglican Communion.” GAFCON, which includes several conservative African provinces, has already declared that it no longer recognises the Archbishop of Canterbury’s global authority.
Supporters in England have hailed Mullally’s rise as a bold step toward inclusivity and reform. However, for conservative Anglicans across Africa, it highlights a widening theological rift — one that could redefine leadership and unity within the 85-million-strong Anglican family worldwide.
