'Christian Concern' leader calls appointment of openly gay Archbishop of Wales “tragic”

The Chief Executive of evangelical organisation ‘Christian Concern’ has called the appointment of openly gay Cherry Vann as 15th Archbishop of Wales “tragic”. 

In a landmark moment for inclusivity and progress within the Church in Wales, Vann has been appointed as the 15th Archbishop of Wales. Vann, who has served as Bishop of Monmouth for the past five years, was elected with a two-thirds majority by the Church’s Electoral College during its meeting at St Pierre Church and Hotel in Chepstow.

Vann, who has been in a loving civil partnership with Wendy Diamond since 2015, is the first openly lesbian leader of the Church in Wales. Her appointment has been widely welcomed by many as a powerful symbol of the Church’s growing commitment to diversity, compassion, and representation.

While the Church in Wales currently permits blessings for same-sex couples, it has yet to allow same-sex marriages. Nonetheless, Vann’s election is seen by many as a significant step forward in affirming LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Anglican tradition.

Speaking after her appointment, Vann said: “The first thing I shall need to do is to ensure that the issues which have been 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.”

Despite the overwhelmingly positive response from many within and beyond the Church, some conservative voices have expressed opposition. Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of evangelical organisation ‘Christian Concern’, criticised the appointment, calling it “a tragic moment” and accusing the Church of straying from traditional doctrine.