UK appoints its first female and openly lesbian archbishop after an explosive misconduct scandal rocks church

In a historic and deeply symbolic move, the Church in Wales has named Rt Rev Cherry Vann as the UK’s first female and openly lesbian archbishop—marking a seismic shift in religious tradition at a moment of severe crisis within the church.

Archbishop Cherry, 66, succeeds Rt Rev Andrew John, who abruptly stepped down last month following a damning safeguarding report that rocked Bangor Cathedral and revealed allegations of sexual misconduct, bullying, excessive drinking, and blurred boundaries within the church’s leadership culture.

While the report did not implicate the former archbishop directly, he issued an “unreserved and unequivocal” apology, accepting full responsibility for the failings that occurred under his leadership. His resignation, just three and a half years into the role, left a leadership vacuum now filled by a figure who stands apart from all her predecessors.

Cherry Vann, who has served as Bishop of Monmouth since 2019, becomes the 15th Archbishop of Wales. Her appointment shatters centuries of tradition—until now, the role has always been held by heterosexual men.

“This is not just an honour. It is a call to healing and reconciliation,” she said, referencing the turmoil that has gripped the Church in recent months. “The first thing I shall need to do is to ensure that the issues which have been raised in the last six months are properly addressed.”

She added, “I will work to bring healing and reconciliation, and to build a really good level of trust across the Church and the communities the Church serves.”

Born in Leicester, Archbishop Cherry was ordained as a deacon in 1989 and became one of the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1994. She spent 11 years as Archdeacon of Rochdale in the Diocese of Manchester before her move to Wales.

Her appointment comes not only at a time of institutional reckoning but also as a powerful symbol of inclusion in a church historically resistant to LGBTQ+ leadership. Her official biography notes that she lives with her civil partner, Wendy, along with their two dogs.

She was elected by an electoral college comprising both clergy and lay members after two days of deliberation at St Pierre’s church near Chepstow.

Her predecessor, Archbishop Andrew John, commissioned two separate reports into conduct at Bangor Cathedral in October last year. The findings painted a disturbing picture: “a culture of sexual misconduct, bullying, excessive drinking, and in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred,” with some choir members reporting that “promiscuity was acceptable.”

One summary published on the Church in Wales website described “inappropriate language, rude jokes and innuendos in the choir that left some feeling unsafe and marginalised.” It also noted humiliation directed at younger members, rampant gossip, poor safeguarding practices, and loose financial controls.

As the first woman and first non-heterosexual clergy member to hold the post of Archbishop, Cherry Vann’s appointment marks more than just a procedural change. It signals a deliberate and dramatic attempt by the Church to distance itself from a troubled past.

While the road ahead is unlikely to be easy, the weight of responsibility now falls on Archbishop Cherry’s shoulders—not just to repair trust, but to reshape the image and future of a Church seeking redemption.