New Archbishop of Canterbury 'one of Devon's own'

Dame Sarah Mullally served as Bishop of Crediton from 2015 to 2018

Dame Sarah Mullally's appointment as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury will be a great source of pride for Devon, a former bishop has said.

Nick McKinnel, who retired as Bishop of Plymouth in 2022, said "one of our own has risen to the very top" after Dame Sarah - who was Bishop of Crediton from 2015 to 2018 - was confirmed as Justin Welby's replacement earlier.

Mr McKinnel, who was Dame Sarah's predecessor in Crediton, said she would be a "wise and experienced pair of hands at the helm".

He said the 63-year-old remained fond of the county and hoped she might be tempted to visit the area at some stage.

The Church of England has been without someone in the top job for almost a year after Mr Welby resigned over a safeguarding scandal.

Dame Sarah does not legally take on her new role until a confirmation of election in January before an enthronement service takes place later.

Nick McKinnel said Dame Sarah Mullally is "well respected across the Church of England and beyond"

Dame Sarah "combines kindness and firmness", Mr McKinnel told BBC Radio Devon.

"She's well respected across the Church of England and beyond," he said.

"After recent difficulties, having someone we can feel confident in at the helm is important."

Dame Sarah was appointed as the first woman Bishop of London in 2018, the third most senior member of clergy in the Church of England.

Her leadership as Bishop of London had already demonstrated her ability to manage divisive issues, said Mr McKinnel.

"Clearly, the sexuality debate is is quite divisive within the Church of England at the moment," he said.

"But she's handled that well and I think she's largely kept the confidence of most of the parishes there, even if people don't necessarily agree with her."

Earlier this year, Dame Sarah consecrated the current Bishop of Crediton, the Right Reverend Moira Astin, into her role as suffragan bishop during a service at St Paul's Cathedral.

Bishop Moira said: "I am confident that when she leads the church in this nation she will have on her heart our villages as well as our towns and cities."