The Anglican Church has installed Cherry Vann as the new Archbishop of Wales, making her the first woman to occupy the position in the history of the Church in Wales.
Vann was formally enthroned during a national service held at Saint Woolos Cathedral in Newport last Saturday, following her election by the church’s Electoral College in July.
Her appointment has drawn criticism from some Christian communities, including the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), which described the development as a departure from biblical standards.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, said in a statement that the church disagreed with the decision, citing her sexuality.
According to him, the election was “a further indication and abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints,” adding that the church should prioritise “genuine repentance.”
Speaking about her personal journey, Vann shared that she previously felt compelled to hide her sexuality.
She said she lived in secrecy for years, with her partner Wendy Diamond often avoiding public appearances in order to prevent their relationship from being revealed.
Vann noted that relocating to Wales enabled her to live openly, stating that Diamond is now able to accompany her publicly and participate freely in her official engagements.