Long-standing British Archbishop concealed romantic partner for extended period.
Cherry Vann Makes History as First Openly Gay and Female Archbishop of Wales
Cherry Vann, a pioneering figure in the Anglican Church, has been appointed as the first female and openly gay Archbishop of Wales. This historic election marks a significant breakthrough in overcoming traditional barriers in church leadership.
Vann, who has been active in the Church in Wales since 2020, has a long background in Anglican ministry. She was among the first women ordained as priests in the Church of England in 1994 and has been a visible advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, serving as a patron of the Open Table Network, a Christian community for LGBT people and allies.
Before her appointment as Bishop of Monmouth, Vann served extensively in church leadership, including 11 years as Archdeacon of Rochdale in the Diocese of Manchester. She was ordained a deacon in 1989 and a priest in 1994, making her part of the early cohort of women priests in England.
As the first woman and openly gay person to hold the position of Archbishop in Wales—and indeed the first openly gay Archbishop in the Anglican Communion in the UK—Vann's election is a testament to her courage and determination. However, it also brings challenges, as she reflects on the need to address issues within the Church and work towards healing, reconciliation, and building trust across the Church and communities it serves.
Vann's openness about her sexual orientation and partnership is a significant step towards fostering greater acceptance and support for LGBTQ+ people within the Anglican Church. By openly embracing her identity and partnership, she provides representation that can inspire change and promote inclusivity at the highest levels of church leadership.
Her appointment as Archbishop is historic: she is the first openly gay and partnered bishop to become a primate in the Anglican Communion, signaling progress towards inclusivity. The Church in Wales permits clergy in same-sex civil partnerships, and Vann lives with her civil partner, Wendy Diamond, who is now publicly visible and often present during Vann's services.
Vann's relationship with Diamond was hidden for years while she was in the Church of England. She revealed her relationship in an interview with the British "Guardian," noting that she was afraid of being outed in a newspaper. Despite facing hostility and anger from some men during her career in the church, Vann's appointment as Archbishop of Wales has made history.
As the 15th person to hold this role, Vann's leadership emphasizes healing and reconciliation, which may help bridge divides over LGBTQ+ issues in the Church of Wales and possibly influence broader Anglican discourse on sexuality and inclusion. Vann's election as Archbishop of Wales is a significant milestone in the journey towards a more inclusive and accepting Anglican Church.
[1] The Church in Wales [2] The Guardian [3] Open Table Network [5] BBC News
- Amidst the general news, the science and health-and-wellness sectors have witnessed a significant development, as Cherry Vann's historic appointment as the first openly gay and female Archbishop of Wales is influencing policy-and-legislation and relationships within the Church in Wales and the Anglican Communion.
- Apart from the lifestyle section that covers fashion-and-beauty and women's-health, the news about Vann's appointment is also making headlines in the context of sexual-health and LGBTQ+ rights, grappling with the complexities of family-dynamics and love-and-dating, as well as the broader discussions about war-and-conflicts and social justice present in politics.
- Before her new position, news about Vann revealed that she was among the first women ordained as priests in the Church of England in 1994 and served as a visible advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, including serving as a patron of the Open Table Network.
- The news about her election has brought both challenges and opportunities, as she now reflects on healing, reconciliation, and building trust across the Church and communities, while also tackling issues within the institution.
- Crime-and-justice coverage discusses Vann's experience of facing hostility and anger from some men during her career, which resulted in her hiding her relationship with her partner for years while she was in the Church of England.
- In an interview with The Guardian, Vann bravely revealed her relationship, which has since changed the landscape of the Church in Wales, as her partner Wendy Diamond is now publicly visible and often present during Vann's services.
- With this new role, Vann's election is not only a milestone for Wales but is also a significant step in the journey towards a more inclusive and accepting Anglican Church, potentially impacting wider Anglican discourse on sexuality and inclusion.
