Some people have left the church because I am a gay woman, says Archbishop

⛪ Archbishop of Wales Addresses Tensions Over Sexuality and Gender

The Most Reverend Cherry Vann, the first woman to lead an Anglican church in the UK as Archbishop of Wales, has acknowledged that some parishioners have left the church in protest following her election.

Archbishop Vann, who is also the first openly gay person to serve as a primate in the global Anglican Communion, was elected in July 2025 and enthroned at Newport Cathedral in November. Speaking ahead of her first Christmas message as Archbishop, she reflected on the challenges of her historic appointment and her commitment to cultural reform.

A Historic but Challenging Election

Archbishop Vann secured the necessary two-thirds majority from the Electoral College in July, succeeding Andrew John, who retired following safeguarding reviews into the working culture at Bangor Cathedral.

• Reaction to her Appointment: While the majority of the church has been supportive, her election was described by the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (Gafcon) as a "serious error" and a "divisive rejection" of biblical teaching.

   

• Hurtful Rhetoric: The Archbishop admitted that some responses have been "quite hostile" and "hurtful," often feeling like an assault on her identity and calling.

• Valuing Diversity of Opinion: Despite the personal toll, she insisted that those with differing viewpoints must not be silenced.

   

  "I don't want people to feel shut down or silenced simply because I have a different viewpoint... We must find a way as a Church to honour one another's beliefs."

Cultural Reform and Healing

A key priority for Archbishop Vann is transforming the culture of the Church in Wales, which has been marred by recent reports of bullying, alcohol abuse, and sexual misconduct.

• A Long-term Mission: She acknowledged that cultural change is a "significant challenge" that will likely extend beyond her tenure.

• Restoring Trust: Her immediate goal is to address failings raised over the past year and provide better care for those who have been "harmed by the Church."

   

• Welcoming LGBTQ+ People: While she strives to make the Church a more welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community, she acknowledged the ongoing struggle for some members to accept women and gay people in leadership roles.

   

🎄 Christmas Message: Light in the Darkness

In her first Christmas message as Archbishop, delivered jointly with other Welsh Christian leaders, she chose a passage from the Gospel of John focused on finding light in the darkness.

• Theme of Vulnerability: The message, co-authored with the Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia and the President of the Free Church Council of Wales, reflects on Christ’s birth as an act of weakness and vulnerability rather than omnipotence.

   

• Hope Amid Struggle: She described the Christmas story as a reminder that Jesus enters into "struggle, wretchedness, and despair" to bring a "light of hope, love, and joy."

   

The Most Reverend Cherry Vann, the first woman to lead an Anglican church in the UK as Archbishop of Wales, has acknowledged that some parishioners have left the church in protest following her election.

Archbishop Vann, who is also the first openly gay person to serve as a primate in the global Anglican Communion, was elected in July 2025 and enthroned at Newport Cathedral in November. Speaking ahead of her first Christmas message as Archbishop, she reflected on the challenges of her historic appointment and her commitment to cultural reform.

A Historic but Challenging Election

Archbishop Vann secured the necessary two-thirds majority from the Electoral College in July, succeeding Andrew John, who retired following safeguarding reviews into the working culture at Bangor Cathedral.

• Reaction to her Appointment: While the majority of the church has been supportive, her election was described by the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (Gafcon) as a "serious error" and a "divisive rejection" of biblical teaching.

   

• Hurtful Rhetoric: The Archbishop admitted that some responses have been "quite hostile" and "hurtful," often feeling like an assault on her identity and calling.

• Valuing Diversity of Opinion: Despite the personal toll, she insisted that those with differing viewpoints must not be silenced.

   

  "I don't want people to feel shut down or silenced simply because I have a different viewpoint... We must find a way as a Church to honour one another's beliefs."

Cultural Reform and Healing

A key priority for Archbishop Vann is transforming the culture of the Church in Wales, which has been marred by recent reports of bullying, alcohol abuse, and sexual misconduct.

• A Long-term Mission: She acknowledged that cultural change is a "significant challenge" that will likely extend beyond her tenure.

• Restoring Trust: Her immediate goal is to address failings raised over the past year and provide better care for those who have been "harmed by the Church."

   

• Welcoming LGBTQ+ People: While she strives to make the Church a more welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community, she acknowledged the ongoing struggle for some members to accept women and gay people in leadership roles.

   

🎄 Christmas Message: Light in the Darkness

In her first Christmas message as Archbishop, delivered jointly with other Welsh Christian leaders, she chose a passage from the Gospel of John focused on finding light in the darkness.

• Theme of Vulnerability: The message, co-authored with the Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia and the President of the Free Church Council of Wales, reflects on Christ’s birth as an act of weakness and vulnerability rather than omnipotence.

   

• Hope Amid Struggle: She described the Christmas story as a reminder that Jesus enters into "struggle, wretchedness, and despair" to bring a "light of hope, love, and joy."