On July 30, 2025, the Church in Wales elected Bishop Cherry Vann as its 15th Archbishop, she became the first woman to hold this position in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
However, her appointment has sparked significant controversy among faithful Anglicans due to her openly lesbian lifestyle and civil partnership with Wendy Diamond since 2015.
The Christian Institute reported on August 8, 2025, that many within the Anglican community expressed dismay, igniting discussions about church leadership, biblical doctrine, and the future of Anglican orthodoxy.
Who Is Cherry Vann?
Cherry Vann, previously the Bishop of Monmouth since 2020, was elected by a two-thirds majority in the Electoral College at St Pierre Church and Hotel in Chepstow, Wales. She succeeds Bishop Andrew John, who retired in July 2025 after three and a half years as Archbishop.
Vann has been in a relationship with Wendy Diamond for over 30 years and has spoken openly about her journey as a gay cleric.
In a 2021 Pride service in Cardiff, she noted, “Thanks to people who have spoken out, the Church has changed and is changing as an increasing number of people come to see that love is love, faithfulness is faithfulness.” Her appointment has been celebrated by some as a step toward inclusion but criticized by others as a departure from traditional Christian teachings.
Why the Controversy?
The controversy stems from Vann’s same-sex civil partnership, which many faithful Anglicans believe conflicts with biblical teachings on marriage and human sexuality.
The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a coalition of orthodox Anglicans, described the election as “another painful nail in the coffin of Anglican orthodoxy.”
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, chair of the GAFCON Primates Council, stated, “By celebrating this election and her same-sex relationship, the Canterbury Communion has again bowed to worldly pressure that subverts God’s good word.” Similarly, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemned the appointment, with Primate Henry Ndukuba calling it “an abomination” and announcing a formal severance of ties with the Church in Wales on August 6, 2025.
The Anglican Convocation in Europe (ACE), part of GAFCON, also expressed disappointment, with Bishops Andy Lines and Stuart Bell noting that Vann’s lifestyle and teachings align more with “progressive secularism” than historic Anglican doctrine.
They emphasized that the role of an archbishop is to uphold biblical teachings, a standard they believe Vann does not meet.
The election took place during a three-day meeting of the Church in Wales’ Electoral College in Chepstow, culminating in Vann’s selection on July 30, 2025.
Her enthronement as Archbishop is scheduled to occur at Newport Cathedral in the coming months. The Church in Wales, which is not an established church like the Church of England, has been moving toward inclusivity, notably passing a 2021 bill allowing blessings for same-sex couples in church for a trial period.
This progressive stance has deepened divisions with conservative Anglican groups globally.
Broader Implications
Vann’s appointment has reignited debates within the Anglican Communion about the balance between inclusivity and adherence to traditional doctrine.
Critics, including the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), argue that it “tears the fabric of our beloved Communion at the highest level,” as stated by GSFA Chair Justin Badi Arama.
The Church of Nigeria warned that such decisions could lead to the Church in Wales losing “complete relevance in the divine scheme for the people of Wales.”
A Divided Communion
The election has strained relations with global Anglican bodies, with GAFCON and ACE offering support to orthodox Anglicans in Wales who feel unable to remain in the Church in Wales.
The Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE) has invited those disillusioned by the appointment to join their fellowship, emphasizing that it’s possible to remain Anglican without aligning with the Church in Wales’ leadership.
The Church in Wales faces additional challenges, including a reported decline in attendance, with only 26,000 worshippers in 2018 and an 83% drop in stipendiary clergy between 2012 and 2022.
Some predict the denomination could face “extinction” by 2038 if trends continue. Vann’s leadership will likely be pivotal in navigating these challenges while addressing the deep divisions her appointment has exposed.
As faithful Anglicans grapple with this decision, the global Anglican Communion faces ongoing tensions between tradition and modernity.
With her enthronement approaching, all eyes will be on Vann as she leads the Church in Wales through a period of opportunity and controversy.
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