The Church of England appointed a woman to a top position for the first time ever, and it’s a huge deal for gender equality

For the first time ever, the Church of England has appointed a woman to a top position as the Bishop of London. Sarah Mullally — former NHS hospital nurse, for which she was made a dame, and 12-year priest — is officially the 133rd bishop and will take her seat in the House of Lords.

While this is a happy day for advocates of gender equality in London, many conservatives in the church have made it known that they disapprove of female priests. (Well, obviously, since this is the first woman to be in a head position in the church.)

Mullally responded with true grace and simplicity, saying, “I respect those that cannot accept my ministry as a bishop because I am a woman.” Despite her calm demeanor, the bishop has plans to make real changes for the church, such as serving “people of faith and no faith” and offering more LGBT services through the church.

LGBT campaigner for the church, Jayne Ozanne, explained why Mullally's appointment is such an exciting addition: "Her appointment will ensure that the church takes seriously its commitment to learning from medicine and science, particularly in sexuality and gender, where we have often been so ignorant."

Congratulations to Sarah Mullally, the new Bishop of London – an incredible public servant, a great Londoner, and the first woman to take on this role. #BehindEveryGreatCity

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) December 18, 2017

Mullally’s prime goals will be to create a more inclusive space for people in the church. Her views on the inequality and deprivation all across the city of London will shape the choices she makes for the church, where she has expressed her plans “to have a culture…where there is no place for abuse.”

This is most definitely one of the best bits of news we could have heard for the world today, because at least one country is trying to move forward. We’re excited to see what changes and positive steps Mullally can accomplish in the Church of England.