THE Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, is to be the next chair of Christian Aid, the charity announced on Maundy Thursday.

Bishop Mullally succeeds the current interim chair, Maggie Swinson, who is vice-chair of the Anglican Consultative Council. Ms Swinson had been appointed after the short tenure of the former Archbishop of York, Lord Sentamu, appointed in 2021. He resigned last June after being suspended from active ministry in the diocese of Newcastle, where he is an honorary assistant bishop, over his reaction to a church safeguarding review (News, 12 May 2023).

Bishop Mullally, who was nominated to London in 2017 and consecrated in 2018 (News, 22 December 2017), said that she had “long admired Christian Aid and its steadfast commitment to combating poverty and injustice and campaigning for change. This work has never been more vital.”

In the city, she said that she saw first-hand “the huge support from parishes and church communities for Christian Aid’s mission, which resonates with our own vision and values, as well as those of the Church of England and beyond.

“As chair, I hope to bring not only the knowledge and experience I have gained as Bishop of London but my experience as a nurse and my faith as a Christian. I look forward to supporting Patrick [Watt] and the Christian Aid family.”

Bishop Mullally, a former Chief Nursing Officer, has been outspoken in the House of Lords on issues of poverty and justice, refugees, and homelessness. She chaired the UK Commission on Bereavement (News, 7 October 2022).

Announcing the appointment, the chief executive of Christian Aid, Patrick Watt, said: “Throughout her church ministry and her nursing career, Bishop Sarah has been committed to our goal of ending the injustice of extreme poverty. She has been a powerful advocate for women’s rights, and for dignity and equality for all people. She shares our vision of working in partnership with others to create a just and peaceful world.”