BISHOP Cherry Vann, the Bishop of Monmouth, has been elected as the 15th Archbishop of Wales, succeeding Andrew John, who resigned earlier this summer following damning reports into the culture at Bangor Cathedral.
The Church in Wales confirmed the result after its Electoral College met in closed session, with Bishop Cherry securing the required two‑thirds majority from clergy, lay representatives and fellow bishops. She will be enthroned at Newport Cathedral in the coming months but will continue in her role as Bishop of Monmouth.
Scandal at Bangor Cathedral
The post became vacant after Archbishop Andrew John resigned in June following the release of independent reports into the Diocese of Bangor. The investigations found serious failings in governance and safeguarding at Bangor Cathedral, including a culture of excessive drinking, blurred sexual boundaries, bullying, inappropriate language, and poor management oversight.
Although there were no allegations of personal misconduct against the Archbishop, he accepted responsibility for not addressing the problems sooner. The Church’s Representative Body passed a motion of no confidence in his leadership, and the Charity Commission began looking into related financial and governance issues. Archbishop John announced he would also retire as Bishop of Bangor at the end of August.
The controversy centred on Bangor Cathedral, which is part of the Anglican Church in Wales, and not, as some reports incorrectly suggested, Wrexham Cathedral, which belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.
Background on Bishop Cherry Vann
Cherry Elizabeth Vann, 66, was born in Whetstone, Leicestershire. Initially training as a professional musician at the Royal College of Music, she later studied theology at Westcott House, Cambridge, and was ordained deacon in 1989. She was among the first women ordained priest in the Church of England in 1994.
Bishop Cherry served in Manchester for many years, holding parish posts and serving as chaplain to the deaf community before becoming Archdeacon of Rochdale in 2008. She was the first woman to hold that senior role in the Diocese of Manchester and later became Prolocutor of the Lower House of the Convocation of York, sitting on the Church of England’s Archbishops’ Council.
She was elected Bishop of Monmouth in 2019 after the resignation of Bishop Richard Pain, and was consecrated in January 2020. In her ministry, she has been a strong advocate for justice, reconciliation and inclusion, and is openly in a civil partnership.
Election process
The Archbishop of Wales is elected from among the six serving diocesan bishops by the Church in Wales Electoral College. The body consists of the six bishops and six elected representatives (three clergy and three lay members) from each of the six dioceses.
Meeting in Llandrindod Wells in a tradition akin to a conclave, the college prays, discusses and votes in secret. A candidate must win a two‑thirds majority to be elected. If no decision is reached within three days, the choice passes to the Bench of Bishops. This time, Bishop Cherry Vann secured the necessary majority during the electoral college process.
A new chapter for the Church
Bishop Cherry’s election comes at a challenging time for the Church in Wales, as it seeks to rebuild trust and strengthen governance in the wake of the Bangor scandal. Speaking after her election, she said she was honoured to be chosen and looked forward to serving the people of Wales in her new role.
The enthronement ceremony at Newport Cathedral will be held later this year, formally marking the start of her tenure as Archbishop of Wales.
