New female bishop is former Kent student

Canon Dame Sarah Mullally (Keynes, 1998) is only the fourth woman to be appointed as a Bishop in the Church of England.

Sarah trained for ordination at the South East Institute for Theological Education (SEITE), then an associate college of the University, and was awarded the Kent Diploma in Theology in 2001.
SEITE is part of a network of regional colleges providing part-time ordination training for men and women with other full-time commitments. Sarah undertook her training while working as Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS and raising a young family. She served in various parishes before moving into full-time ministry and was appointed Canon Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral in 2012.

The Revd Dr Alan Le Grys, now working for the Student Learning Advisory Service and an Associate Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies in the School of European Culture and Languages, was Principal of SEITE while Sarah was in training.

He said: ‘Sarah was a remarkable student, holding down an immensely pressured appointment as she undertook an equally demanding course of training. She is an inspiration to all mature and part-time students. This is an excellent appointment, and Sarah will be a first-class bishop.’

Sarah will be consecrated as the new Bishop Of Crediton in the Exeter Diocese on 22 July in Canterbury Cathedral.