We welcome with joy and gratitude the historic appointment of the Right Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury. This moment bears witness to the Church’s willingness to listen to the Holy Spirit and to acknowledge the gifts and calling of women within the apostolic ministry.

We recognise that this milestone does not mark the completion of the work of the Five Guiding Principles. Rather, it invites the whole Anglican Communion into deeper engagement with the Gospel’s vision of a Body in which all members are able to flourish in their own calling.

As NADAWM – the National Association of Diocesan Advisers in Women’s Ministry – we remain committed to working with Archbishop-designate Sarah and the wider Church of England to build a church that reflects the dignity and vocation of all God’s people. We acknowledge that disparities in ministerial opportunity persist, and that differences in theological understanding and ecclesial practice continue to require careful attention. This appointment encourages us in the hard and hopeful work of building a church where all are recognised as made in God’s image, and where their gifts are received with grace.

We commend Archbishop-designate Sarah’s courage and the integrity she has shown throughout her public ministry, including her steadfastness in the face of online harassment related to her gender. We will be praying for her, her ministry, and her continued leadership, giving thanks that, like Our Lady, she said ‘yes’ to the Holy Spirit.

About NADAWM

The National Association of Diocesan Advisers in Women’s Ministry (NADAWM) supports the Church of England in enabling women to flourish in their calling. Working with the National Church, diocesan leadership, and women in ministry, NADAWM seeks to equip, evaluate, and engage: equipping dioceses and individuals through training, networking, and theological insight; evaluating progress and barriers through data and shared practice; and engaging with partner organisations and wider societal issues to promote the flourishing of women’s ministry across traditions.

The text of this statement is also available here

A project bringing together people from across the Churches and our communities to Commission and launch a song celebrating women priests in the Church of England. We are commissioning O Hooley and Tidow, a Yorkshire based folk band to write a song celebrating some of the first women to be ordained, including: 
Rev Margaret Mabbs who campaigned from 1942 for women to be ordained, was amongst the first ordained in 1994, aged of 70 and retired aged 92
Rev Jemima Prasadam, the first South Asian woman to be ordained in
the CofE and mum of the current Bishop of Huddersfield, +Smitha
Prasadam.

Donate here.

The 2025 conference "His-story, Her-story, God's Story" was held at Hinsley Hall in Leeds.  Speakers included Catherine Fox and Christina Rees