**Cherry Vann Elected as New Archbishop of Wales Amid Calls for Church Renewal and Trust**
Cherry Vann has been named as the 15th Archbishop of Wales, marking a period of significant transition for the Church in Wales. Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the institution, which is currently addressing the fallout of various internal challenges and recent concerns relating to safeguarding practices.
Archbishop Vann, who has served as the Bishop of Monmouth since 2020, was elected by members of the Church’s Electoral College after securing strong support on the second day of deliberations in Chepstow. Her official confirmation was delivered by the Church’s Senior Bishop, Gregory Cameron, following affirmation from fellow diocesan bishops. She succeeds Andrew John, who retired in July 2025 after three and a half years leading the Church.
As the new Archbishop, Cherry Vann will continue in her existing role as Bishop of Monmouth, a position she has held with distinction for the past five years. She will be officially enthroned at Newport Cathedral at a ceremony to be held in due course. Her elevation to the highest role in the Church in Wales arrives against a backdrop of institutional upheaval and calls for meaningful reform.
In her first statement following her election, Vann emphasised her commitment to addressing recent issues within the Church and set out her immediate priorities. “The first thing I shall need to do is ensure that the issues 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 stated.
Originally from Leicestershire, Vann has pursued an extensive career in ministry, beginning as a deacon in 1989. Notably, she was among the first women to be ordained as priests in the Church of England in 1994, before going on to serve for more than a decade as Archdeacon of Rochdale in the Diocese of Manchester. Her long-standing commitment to the Church and her experience in a variety of leadership roles have been widely recognised as assets during this time of change.
The response to Archbishop Vann’s appointment has been broadly positive within church circles. The Very Revd Ian Black, Dean of Newport, spoke on behalf of the Diocese of Monmouth, expressing confidence in her leadership. “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,” he said. Black credited Vann with bringing much-needed stability to the Diocese of Monmouth, commending her sensitive approach to change and her pastoral care for clergy and parishioners alike.
However, the period ahead will not be without its challenges. The recent publication of a safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral highlighted a series of complaints involving inappropriate language, issues with sexual boundaries, and concerns over excessive alcohol consumption. While there is no suggestion of misconduct by Mr John, the former Archbishop and Bishop of Bangor, these findings have nonetheless prompted renewed scrutiny of the Church’s culture and practices.
Mr John, for his part, responded to the review by commissioning two independent reports to address the issues at Bangor Cathedral. He acknowledged that the findings revealed significant concerns that needed to be dealt with transparently and effectively.
Observers of the Church in Wales note that Vann’s task will be to foster not only reconciliation and healing but also to drive a culture of accountability and openness. Her background and reputation for inclusive leadership are expected to play a key role in restoring faith among both the laity and clergy. The coming months will reveal how the new Archbishop navigates the complexities of guiding the Church through this testing period.
As the Church in Wales enters a new chapter under Cherry Vann’s leadership, communities across the country will be looking for signs of renewed trust and clear progress on the commitments made in the wake of recent controversies. The way forward will require patient and decisive leadership, as well as a willingness to confront deep-seated organisational challenges for the benefit of congregations and society as a whole.