Cherry Vann becomes first woman and LGBTQ cleric named archbishop in Britain

Lori Dee · August 01, 2025, 10:30:20 AM

Cherry Vann becomes first woman and LGBTQ cleric named archbishop in Britain
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NBC News - Reuters
July 31, 2025, 10:40 AM MDT

Bishop Cherry Vann has been elected as archbishop of the Church in Wales, becoming the first woman and LGBTQ cleric appointed to lead any of Britain's Anglican churches.

While the broader, international Anglican Communion has had openly gay bishops before, most notably Gene Robinson in the United States, Vann will be the first lesbian to serve as archbishop globally.

The Church in Wales, which broke away from the Church of England in 1920, elected Vann to the post on Wednesday.

Vann was among the first women ordained as priests in the Church of England in 1994 and later served as Archdeacon of Rochdale, in northern England, before moving to Wales.

She is affiliated with the Open Table Network, a Christian initiative that offers worship and support for LGBTQ people.

According to her official biography, Vann lives with her civil partner, Wendy, and the couple's two dogs. While the Church in Wales does not conduct same-sex marriages, it permits clergy to enter into civil partnerships.

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Lilis · August 01, 2025, 11:53:00 AM

Nice 👍

NoelleW · August 01, 2025, 12:01:49 PM

While I'm not particularly religious, it's nice to see churches making forward progress

Cherry Vann becomes first woman and LGBTQ cleric named archbishop in Britain

Lori Dee

Lilis

NoelleW