London, United Kingdom — The Most Rev Cherry Vann, newly appointed Archbishop of Wales and the Anglican Communion’s first openly gay female primate, has described same-sex marriage in church as “inevitable,” while reflecting on decades of navigating her faith and identity in secrecy.
In an interview published on Sunday by The Guardian UK, the 66-year-old church leader opened up about the personal and institutional challenges she faced before publicly acknowledging her civil partnership with longtime partner Wendy Diamond.
Vann, who made history as one of the first women ordained as a priest in England in 1994, recalled years of silence and caution during her time in the Church of England, where gay clergy were expected to remain celibate. In contrast, she praised the Church in Wales—where she has served since 2020—for its acceptance of same-sex partnerships among clergy.
“You can hide your sexuality up to a point, but you can’t hide being a woman,” Vann said, reflecting on the resistance she encountered from male colleagues. “There was a lot of nastiness; the men were angry, they felt they had been betrayed.”
Despite facing discrimination, Vann said she never doubted her calling. “Without the strong belief that God had called me to the priesthood, I would not have survived,” she noted. “I’m not a campaigner, but I seek to be true to what God’s asking of me.”
Born in Whetstone, Leicestershire, Vann pursued music at the Royal College of Music before studying theology. She served in the Manchester diocese for over a decade, eventually becoming Archdeacon of Rochdale in 2008 and Bishop of Monmouth in 2019.
Vann publicly acknowledged her relationship with Diamond upon becoming bishop, ending decades of secrecy. “For years, we kept our relationship hidden. Now, Wendy joins me everywhere. It’s just normal,” she said, recalling how her partner once had to remain hidden during meetings at their home.
On the issue of same-sex marriage within the church, Vann struck a cautious tone. While stating that she personally does not seek a church wedding, she said, “Gay marriage in church is inevitable. The question is when.”
She stressed the need for unity despite theological divisions. “We can vehemently disagree and still love one another in Christ,” she said. “As a leader, I must also honor those who hold different views.”
As debates over gender and sexuality continue to stir tension across the Anglican Communion, Vann’s historic role marks both progress and the enduring complexity of reconciling faith with evolving social norms.
By Adeola Olaniya | August 4, 2025
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