In a remarkably personal new video released by the Church of England, Bishop Sarah Mullally has revealed the terrifying details of her near-fatal battle with meningitis that dramatically altered the course of her life.
The Bishop of London, who previously served as England's Chief Nursing Officer before taking holy orders, described confronting her own mortality during the serious health crisis that struck her down in her late thirties.
A Life-Threatening Turning Point
'I became very ill with meningitis and septicaemia,' Bishop Mullally recounts in the emotional footage. 'I genuinely thought I was going to die.'
The gravity of her condition forced the future bishop to confront fundamental questions about her existence and purpose. 'It made me ask myself: if I had died, what would my life have been about?' she reflects in the revealing interview.
From Nursing to Ministry
This profound health scare became the catalyst for an extraordinary career transformation. Having established herself as a distinguished healthcare professional, reaching the pinnacle of her field as Chief Nursing Officer, Bishop Mullally felt called to pursue an entirely different path.
'I realised I wanted to explore my faith more deeply,' she explains, detailing the journey that would eventually lead to her ordination and remarkable rise within the Church of England hierarchy.
A Unique Perspective on Healing
Bishop Mullally's dual expertise in both healthcare and theology provides her with a distinctive viewpoint on suffering and recovery. 'My experience of illness has definitely shaped my ministry,' she acknowledges.
Her background allows her to bridge the often-separate worlds of medical science and spiritual care, bringing a rare understanding to her role as one of the most senior bishops in the Church of England.
The candid video forms part of a broader initiative by the Church to showcase the personal stories and motivations behind its leadership, offering congregations and the public alike a deeper understanding of the individuals guiding the institution.
