As Sarah Mullally becomes the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, her rise could influence the Vatican’s debate over women in ministry.

Church of England bishops have stopped plans to trial separate blessing services for same-sex couples, saying the measure, that stoked deep divisions, needed to secure greater backing from the Church's governing body.

Bishop Sarah Mullally’s appointment as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury has been hailed as historic as well as devastating as she faces the challenge of uniting a fractured global church.