Last week, Sarah Mullally was installed as Archbishop of Canterbury and much was made of her being the first woman appointed to that post.

Some suggested this was overdone, not because they were opposed to female bishops, but that we should be living in a world where what mattered was her ability to do the job and her character, not her gender.

We do though live in a world where full opportunities for women in their calling have been slow in coming and for many her appointment is a cause for celebration and hope.

Women are central to the Easter story.

placeholder image — Rev Michael Gobbett.

They were the ones (along with the beloved disciple, John) who stood near to the cross of Jesus, witnessing the terrible suffering, seeking to bring comfort, if only by their presence.

As do many people who watch and wait as their loved ones die.

Women were the ones who brought ointments and spices to care for the body of Jesus, intended as final act of love for him.

It was not the final act though as they also discovered the empty tomb on Easter morning and Mary Magadalene was the first to see the risen Jesus.

Sarah Mullally has been confirmed as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

She is known as the apostle to the apostles as she rushed to tell those men who were so close to Jesus in his ministry the glorious news.

The glorious news that sin and death had been defeated by the ultimate act of love in the suffering and death on the cross, a victory revealed in the resurrection.

That humanity could be reconciled with God, and within itself, for as Paul writes: ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek…there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’.

Differences caused by nationality and gender, and other aspects of human life are transformed by the resurrection as the world rejoices in the hope of new life.

May that news bring hope to all who suffer so terribly in our violent world and may we all celebrate Easter with joy.