Historic Appointment: Bishop Cherry Vann Breaks Barriers in the Church of Wales

Bishop Cherry Vann has made history as she is elected the archbishop of the Church in Wales, becoming the first woman and LGBTQ+ member to lead an Anglican church in Britain. This appointment reflects a significant step within the church hierarchy, as Vann becomes the first openly lesbian archbishop in the global Anglican Communion.

The Church in Wales separated from the Church of England in 1920 and now has chosen Vann for her pioneering leadership skills. Ordained in 1994 among the earliest women priests in the Church of England, she later served as the Archdeacon of Rochdale before moving to the Welsh ecclesiastical community.

Drawing support from her association with the Open Table Network, which aids LGBTQ+ Christians, Vann's personal life includes her civil partnership with Wendy. Although the Church in Wales doesn't conduct same-sex marriages, it permits civil partnerships. Vann replaces Andrew John, focusing on tackling governance issues identified in recent reports.

(With inputs from agencies.)