The Church in Wales has elected Bishop Cherry Vann as its new Archbishop, marking her both the first woman and first openly gay person to hold the role.
Chosen by a two-thirds majority during a meeting of the Electoral College in Chepstow, Vann steps into the position following the retirement of Archbishop Andrew John.
John left office amid serious safeguarding concerns raised at Bangor Cathedral.
While he wasn’t personally accused of wrongdoing, the Church initiated several reviews to address what it called “deeply troubling” issues.
Cherry Vann, currently Bishop of Monmouth, said her priority is “to ensure that the issues which have been raised in the last six months are properly addressed... and to build a really good level of trust across the Church.”
Originally from Leicestershire, Vann was ordained in 1994 and later served as Archdeacon of Rochdale.
She lives with her civil partner, Wendy, and was a member of the Church of England’s advisory group supporting LGBTQI+ inclusion.
The Dean of Newport, Very Revd Ian Black, welcomed her leadership, saying: “Cherry is the right person for this moment... She has a deep faith, which is also open to those who take a different view to her.”
Her enthronement at Newport Cathedral will take place in the coming months.