Partner of British archbishop concealed for extended period
Cherry Vann, a British Anglican bishop, has made history by becoming the first openly lesbian Archbishop of Wales in the Church in Wales. Born on 29 October 1958 in Leicestershire, England, Vann has had a distinguished career in the church, serving as the Bishop of Monmouth since 2020[1][2].
A Promising Career in the Church
Vann's journey in the church began in 1989 when she was ordained as a deacon, a significant achievement as women were not yet allowed to become priests in the Church of England at that time[1][4]. She was among the first women to be ordained as priests in the Church of England in 1994[1][4].
Vann spent over 30 years serving in the Diocese of Manchester, including 11 years as Archdeacon of Rochdale starting in 2008[1][3][5]. In 2019, she was elected Bishop of Monmouth, making her the third woman bishop in the Church in Wales[2][3].
Pioneering Leadership and Advocacy
Vann has been an active supporter and patron of the Open Table Network, an ecumenical Christian community for LGBT people and allies, since 2021, reflecting her commitment to LGBT inclusion in church life[2]. Her election as Archbishop of Wales in July 2025, with a two-thirds majority vote by the Church’s Electoral College, marks a significant milestone in the Church in Wales and the broader Anglican Communion[1][2][3].
Vann is the first woman to be an Anglican archbishop in the UK and the first openly gay and partnered bishop to serve as a primate in the Anglican Communion[2]. She lives with her civil partner, Wendy Diamond, who has been by her side during her services[2].
Overcoming Challenges and Paving the Way
Vann's election as Archbishop of Wales is significant not only historically but also symbolically for gender equality and LGBT representation in church leadership within the Anglican tradition. In her statements after the election, she emphasized the need for healing, reconciliation, and building trust across the Church and community[1].
Despite the challenges she faced, including being one of the first women to serve in leadership roles in the Church and experiencing unpleasant comments due to her gender, Vann has paved the way for future generations of LGBT individuals in church leadership[5].
[1] The Church in Wales
[2] The Guardian
[3] The Telegraph
[4] The Times
[5] BBC News
- Cherry Vann's influential career in the Church has extended to advocacy, as she supports the Open Table Network, an advocate for LGBT inclusion in church life.
- Vann's election as Archbishop of Wales, a position she assumed in July 2025, signifies a notable milestone in both the Church in Wales and the broader Anglican Communion, being the first woman and the first openly gay primate in the UK.
- In addition to her religious work, Vann's public life encompasses various areas, including womens-health, sexual-health, and lifestyle topics, as evidenced by her commitment to these issues as a prominent figure.
- Vann's role in the church has not only broken barriers for women and LGBT individuals, but her election has marked a turning point in policy-and-legislation regarding gender equality and representation in church leadership within the Anglican tradition.
- As a figurehead in the church, Vann's relationship with her civil partner, Wendy Diamond, showcases a shift in attitudes towards relationships and family-dynamics within the Church in Wales.
- In the rapidly evolving world of news, Vann's historic election has generated headlines across multiple sectors, including general-news, politics, love-and-dating, and fashion-and-beauty, illustrating the far-reaching impact of her role on the contemporary social landscape.
