Yesterday, we learned of the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. My social media feed has been awash with commentary (which I will get to), ranging from very positive to very negative concerning this first lady archbishop, an office that was seen (but no longer) as Primus Inter Pares (First Among Equals) of the Primates of the global Anglican Communion, which consists of around 85 million people across 165 countries.

According to Meta AI: “Dame Sarah Mullally has been announced as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the 106th archbishop since Saint Augustine arrived in Kent in 597. She’s the first woman to hold this office, and her appointment was approved by His Majesty the King … She was Born in 1962 in Woking, England, started her career as a nurse and rose to become the government’s Chief Nursing Officer for England at 37 and was ordained in 2001, serving in various roles including Suffragan Bishop of Crediton and Bishop of London”.

It ended with two interesting quotes from Sarah Mullally: “As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and to others that has motivated me since I first came to faith as a teenager” and “I want, very simply, to encourage the Church to continue to grow in confidence in the Gospel, to speak of the love that we find in Jesus Christ and for it to shape our actions”.  When I listened to her for the first time, when she was speaking soon after the making of this announcement by way of response, what she said seemed consistent with these quotes as well as confirming existing qualms, which I will get to.

Perhaps, one of the most significant things (upon reflection, and not surprisingly) coming out of this announcement, in terms of how different Christians, especially those in leadership positions, reacted, is that in the main those in the negative camp seemed to be in agreement with many of the views that I have long been posting on my Facebook page and blogs concerning some of the important, significant things happening in the UK and beyond, and those, in the main, in the positive camp taking an opposite view. It confirmed to me that not only is the nation divided but so is the church.

On the positive side, were comments from the “usual suspects” along the lines: “this is exciting”, “great choice”, “breath of fresh air” etc. Often the tone was congratulatory and welcoming. But I want to turn first to the negatives, which is my own inclination. I feel there is no better place to begin than with someone I have sadly fallen out with, Calvin Robinson (over his catholic leaning inclinations, views on Israel and me – calling me a heretic and telling me to **** off), but given his views on women ordination and CofE wokery, his views are unsurprising but these are also well-articulated. He also has an axe to grind having once been refused ordination in the CofE by Sarah Mullally, when Bishop of London, supposedly for criticizing her stance on critical race theory, ironic since he is a black man. I quote from his Facebook posting:

“Rest in peace, Church of England.

Sarah Mullally is woke, a feminist, an ardent supporter of Critical Race Theory, and a woman.

Women cannot become priests, bishops and most certainly not archbishops.

It is not ontologically possible. A woman cannot enter Holy Orders any more than a man can enter Motherhood.

I suspect the Traditionalist parishes (those who do not believe in the ordination of women) in the Church of England will become de facto Congregationalist, no longer recognising their leadership. Provisions were made for them to have “flying bishops” but there was never a consideration that the Primus inter pares would be a woman.

The rest of the Anglican Communion will denounce Canterbury (again). At GAFCON IV they made it clear they no longer recognise Canterbury as the first among equals and called the CofE leadership to repent over same-sex-blessings.

Sarah Mullally is on record as saying the CofE will allow same-sex blessings, “some of which will be sexual in nature.” Well, one cannot ask God to bless something He has deemed abhorrent. Marriage is a lifelong indissoluble heterosexual and monogamous union. Anything outside of that is sin.

The CofE now enforces and affirms sin.

Not to mention they recently appointed the first “trans” archdeacon.

The Church of England is no longer a Church. She is barely even English – often denouncing government policy to protect the borders, and being caught baptising asylum seekers to give them a better chance at gaining legitimacy.

The CofE is a liberal organisation. The options are she must repent and return to Christianity, or cease to exist.

It is a shame, at a time when the country needs spiritual leadership, the CofE continues to choose spiritual neglect.

Shame. Degeneracy”.

Obviously, not being an Anglican and coming from a very Low Church camp, I am not going to agree with all that Father Calvin said, but I agree with much of it. While I agree that leadership in churches, especially when it comes to exercising authority over men, should be male, the only priesthood I recognize is that of all believers. Not mentioned but something what really sealed it for me, in coming to a view, was reading a post by one of my detracting Facebook friends including a video clip of Sarah Mullally’s telling us back in the days of the Covid scamdemic that it was our Christian duty to take the jab (see here). Another powerful video highlighting the concerns of those who think a wrong choice was made with this appointment making several damming indictments, including her pro-choice stance on the matter of abortion and her supporting or allowing LBGTQ+ ideology to prevail, including the brainwashing of our children over transgenderism (see here).

But before coming to the view that matters most, I wanted to include something more conciliatory and generous, mindful that recently she spoke out powerfully, in the House of Lords, concerning her opposition to the Assisted Suicide Bill and leaving us with little doubt that when it comes to supporting the poor, vulnerable, dispossessed, “other” etc. that we would have much in agreement. The best (imho) commentary I came across on social media was by Simon Mildred from CARE, titled: “Why I can’t rejoice over the new Archbishop” (see here). I won’t comment and suggest you check this out yourself – but I did find it rather refreshing! As for praying for Sarah Mullally, as many, especially those who support her appointment, are exhorting us to do, I confess to feeling betwixt how to, knowing God won’t bless unrighteousness, but pray I will.

What you, me, and those who have shared their views for all to find, think is neither here nor there compared with what God says and feels. The first thing to say is that I don’t wish to claim superior insight over that of other people who see things differently, although part of my watching on the wall activities, along with deep diving into the scriptures, qualifies me more than many. So, since this story broke, yesterday, and I knew I needed to write an unplanned blog about some of the pertinent details and implications, I have been intreating the Almighty.  I cannot claim to have got thunderbolts from heaven but this is what I see, following prayerful reflection.  

Whilst not an Anglican, I have had many positive dealings with Anglicans, ever since my student days – High, Middle and Low (and particularly Low on theological grounds). I have met many fine Anglicans, who I am glad to call my brothers and sisters. I am aware of the consternation among many, going back centuries, particularly concerning the church’s failure to: “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3).  

In recent years, and pertinent to this appointment, issues such as the ordination of women priests and the blessing of same sex relationships have been contentious. Yet, somehow, the church has continued to operate even if in many quarters the glory had long departed. While many good Anglicans have left the church in disgust over its latest venture into apostacy, many have chosen to stay put, resenting the fact bad Anglicans want to take over the church. I daresay much the same will occur following this latest appointment.

As for the future of the Anglican church in England, I am not qualified to predict how long it will continue in its present trajectory or without wholesale change. I can’t say because the Lord hasn’t told me. But then the Lord won’t be mocked and if the CofE continues along the path it is going, in rebellion, it will experience His firm hand in judgement. Moreover, and pertinent here, God’s intention is to have a glorious Church, and His purposes will not be thwarted. I am not precious about the future of the Anglican Church, any more than I am about any other, including my own (Plymouth Brethren or Strict Baptist – take your pick), and now is the time to repent. But I am chiefly concerned for His true Church (those who put their hope and trust in Jesus Christ and who faithfully follow Him)!

While I hope and pray for revival, I see that Church being driven underground, forced to operate as a despised and persecuted remnant, while the institutional church descends into further error and apostasy, only allowed to operate while it toes the line. The words of Ezekiel (Chapter 34) ring loud – there is a lack of good shepherds who lead and it is the sheep that suffer as a result. We need shepherds, not in the Sarah Mullally mold or that of her Evangelical predecessor, Justin Welby, or of many who are in leadership today, but rather those who are like Him who is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14), who fight for the truth and live accordingly. Besides the welfare of said sheep being of a major concern, the honour and glory of God remains my main one.