CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Who Is Cherry Vann? First Woman & LGBTQ+ “Archbishop” in UK Church History [#CherryVann]
CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Who Is Cherry Vann? First Woman & LGBTQ+ “Archbishop” in UK Church History [#CherryVann]
In July 2025, Cherry Vann was elected “Archbishop” of Wales in July 2025, making her the first woman and openly LGBTQ+ “Archbishop” in the United Kingdom.
Cherry’s career progresses from concert pianist to priest, “bishop”, and now “Archbishop of Wales.”
Hi everyone,
Cherry Vann is the first woman and openly LGBTQ+ person to be appointed “Archbishop” of Wales.
In this video, we explore her journey—from classical music training to Anglican ministry, to her historic election in 2025.
Cherry Vann overcame opposition, advocated for inclusion, and now leads the Church in Wales during a critical time of change.
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Cherry Elizabeth Vann (born October 29, 1958 in Whetstone, Leicestershire, England) is a prominent British Anglican “bishop.”
She attended the Royal College of Music, London and earned diplomas in piano and violin (ARCM 1978, GRSM 1980) before studying theology at Westcott House, Cambridge, from 1986 to 1989.
She was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1989 and became one of the first women to be ordained as “priests” in 1994.
She ministered in the Diocese of Manchester, serving in parishes in Flixton and Bolton, as a chaplain to Deaf population, and as Team Vicar in Farnworth and Kearsley.
She became Archdeacon of Rochdale (2008-2020), the first woman to hold a senior leadership position in the diocese.
She was elected “Bishop” of Monmouth in late 2019, consecrated in January 2020, and enthroned in Newport Cathedral in February 2020.
On July 30, 2025, she was elected the 15th “Archbishop” of Wales with a two-thirds majority in the Electoral College, becoming the first woman and openly LGBTQ+ person to lead any of the UK’s Anglican provinces.
She lives with her civil partner Wendy (the Church in Wales permits clergy in same-sex civil unions) and is a patron of the Open Table Network, which supports “LGBTQ+ Christian” communities.
Her appointment is seen as a major step toward inclusion and reconciliation within the Anglican Communion, particularly in light of Church in Wales safeguarding and governance concerns.
QUESTION: What does this mean for the future of the Anglican Church? Is this a new age for “inclusion?” Let’s “talk” about this in the Comments section.
Who Is Cherry Vann? First Woman & LGBTQ+ “Archbishop” in UK Church History | Christian Breaking News!
Who Is Cherry Vann? First Woman & LGBTQ+ “Archbishop” in UK Church History | Christian Breaking News!