The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rev Rachel Treweek, is among those being considered to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury — a decision set to be confirmed this Friday.
Bishop Treweek made history in 2015 when she became the first female diocesan bishop in the Church of England and the first woman bishop to sit in the House of Lords. If chosen, she would again make history as the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior bishop in the Church of England and spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Other names reported to be under consideration include the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, a former Chief Nursing Officer for England, and the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Michael Beasley, a former epidemiologist who played a leading role in the Church’s Covid-19 response.
The appointment process involves the Crown Nominations Commission submitting a candidate’s name to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, who then passes the recommendation to His Majesty the King for approval.
While the King is formally the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury holds the position of senior bishop, overseeing the life of the Church of England and guiding the Anglican Communion worldwide.
The announcement of the new Archbishop comes after a year-long process following the resignation of the previous officeholder amid a safeguarding scandal.
