DAME Sarah Mullally has been named the first female archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England’s history.

A former chief nursing officer for England, Dame Sarah is now Archbishop of Canterbury designate; a legal ceremony is expected in the coming months to confirm her position as the church’s top bishop.

In her first words since confirmation of her appointment, Dame Sarah said that while the role is a huge responsibility, she felt a sense of “peace and trust in God to carry me.”

She will be the 106th archbishop of Canterbury, the role having been vacant for almost a year since Justin Welby announced his resignation from office over failures in handling an abuse scandal.

Dame Sarah has been outspoken in her opposition to the assisted dying Bill now being considered at Westminster.

As a member of the House of Lords she will have a vote on the Bill. She said previously: “We must oppose a law that puts the vulnerable at risk and instead work to improve funding and access to desperately needed palliative care services.”