Cherry Vann has made history as the first woman to lead the Church in Wales—and the first openly LGBTQ+ cleric elected as Archbishop of Wales.
She was chosen on Wednesday after an electoral college met for two days of deliberations at St. Pierre Church near Chepstow. Her election follows the resignation of Andrew John, who stepped down last month after almost four years in the role amid a high-profile safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral.
About Cherry Vann
Cherry Elizabeth Vann was born on 29 October 1958 in Leicestershire. She studied piano and violin, demonstrating notable talent in the former, at the Royal College of Music.
She earned an associate degree from the institution in 1978. She would follow this up with receiving a Graduate of the Royal Schools of Music diploma in 1980.
In 1986, she would train for ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge. She would then be ordained as a deacon in 1989. By 1994, she was among the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England.
One of her notable roles includes her appointment as the Archdeacon of Rochdale in the Diocese of Manchester in 2008. Aside from this, she spent her time in ministry in Ashton, Bolton, Farnworth, Flixton, Oldham, and Rochdale.
Vann is an honorary canon of Manchester Cathedral and a former chaplain to the deaf community. Additionally, she held senior positions in the governance of the Church of England. She has been Prolocutor of the Lower House of the Convocation of York and an ex officio member of the Archbishop's Council.
She lives with her civil partner, Wendy, and their two dogs. With her educational background, she has over 20 years of experience as the conductor of the Bolton Chamber Orchestra.
Before her appointment as the Archbishop of Wales, she served as the Bishop of Monmouth for five years.
Events Leading To Archbishop Andrew John's Departure
Vann's predecessor, Andrew John, retired three and a half years into his tenure. Mr. John commissioned two reports on the cathedral in October 2024.
His exit follows a publicised review that found evidence of a culture where 'promiscuity was acceptable'. It also suggested that the environment was subject to excessive alcohol consumption and seemingly blurred sexual boundaries.
There were also six 'serious incident reports' sent to the Charity Commission within the past 18 months. Four were related to safeguarding, and the other two were for financial matters.
The summary included reports of 'inappropriate language, rude jokes, and innuendos in the choir that left some feeling unsafe and marginalised'. However, there was no suggestion that the former archbishop behaved inappropriately.
John expressed his 'most heartfelt apology to any members of the cathedral community who have been hurt'. He also extends this to those who feel like he let them down, relative to the concerning environment of the church.
Following her election, Vann stated that she aims to adequately address the issues that have been raised over the past six months. 'I work to bring healing and reconciliation, and to build an outstanding level of trust across the church and the communities the church serves,' she said.
