The Church in Wales announces Cherry Vann as first female Archbishop

ITV News

30 July 2025

Cherry Vann, the Bishop of Monmouth, has been announced as the new Archbishop of the Church in Wales.

The Bishop of Monmouth, Cherry Vann, will become the Church in Wales' first female and gay Archbishop.

Her election follows the retirement of the Bishop of Bangor, Andrew John, who held the office of Archbishop of Wales for three-and-a-half years.

He stepped down in August after two reports published concerns about Bangor Cathedral. One detailed report of inappropriate behaviour, lack of boundaries and excessive alcohol consumption.

At the time, the Church in Wales said it takes safeguarding extremely seriously. The former Archbishop said the findings "offer [...] opportunity for change". There was no suggestion that Andrew John behaved inappropriately.

The Church in Wales has since called for a number of reviews and investigations of Bangor diocese and cathedral following “deeply troubling” revelations.

Cherry Vann was chosen from among the five serving Welsh bishops to become Wales' 15th Archbishop and the first woman to hold the position.

Reacting to the news, she said: “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 and that I work to bring healing and reconciliation, and to build a really good level of trust across the Church and the communities the Church serves.”

She was elected having secured a two-thirds majority vote from members of the Electoral College on the second day of its meeting at the St Pierre Church and Hotel in Chepstow. She will be enthroned at Newport Cathedral at a later date.

Originally from Leicestershire, Cherry was consecrated as Bishop of Monmouth five years ago.

Archbishop of Wales Andrew John retires following Bangor Cathedral concerns

Before that, she was among the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1994. She then served as Archdeacon of Rochdale, in the Diocese of Manchester, for 11 years.

She lives with her civil partner Wendy and their two dogs and was also a member of The Church in England's Archbishops’ Pastoral Advisory Group, charged with creating resources to help churches welcome LGBTQI+ people.

The Very Revd Ian Black, Dean of Newport, welcomed the news on behalf of the Diocese of Monmouth.

He said: “Cherry is the right person for this moment in the Church in Wales’ life. She has the skills and vision that we need to restore trust following some very public failings.

"She has brought stability to the Diocese of Monmouth, managing the change to ministry areas with clarity and purpose, showing deep care for the clergy and people. This foundation will be a good base as she leads the Province over the next few years.

"She has a deep faith, which is also open to those who take a different view to her, and this has impressed those people enormously.

"I look forward to supporting her as Dean of her Cathedral. One of our duties and pleasures here is to pray for the bishop every day and we will continue to do so gladly.”