The Church of England could appoint its first female archbishop after two women were named among the frontrunners to be the next Archbishop of York.
The secretive recruitment process to replace the Most Rev John Sentamu when he retires in June next year is due to begin soon. The bishops of London and Ripon, the Right Revs Sarah Mullally and Helen-Ann Hartley and the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Rev Stephen Cottrell, are joint 3-1 favourites, William Hill has said.
The appointment will be made by the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), which will not reveal who is in the frame until its final announcement, planned before the end of this year. A female archbishop could prove controversial among other Anglican heads around the globe. They are due to meet in London in 2020 and many do not approve of female bishops. Women have only been appointed as bishops in the church since 2014. There are now 18.
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Women ready to break stained glass ceiling by winning race to be next Archbishop of York https://t.co/tSBldJ8eCS #anglican #clergy #women #religion #uk
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) January 7, 2019