Church in Wales is first in UK to appoint female archbishop

The bishop of Monmouth, Cherry Vann, has been elected as the new archbishop of Wales, becoming the UK's first female archbishop and first LGBTQ+ leader in the Church in Wales in a symbolic break with recent safeguarding scandals.

- Bethan McKernan Harriet Sherwood

Vann, 66, was chosen yesterday after an electoral college made up of clergy and laypeople met for two days of deliberations at St Pierre church near Chepstow.

Andy John, the former archbishop, announced in June he was standing down with immediate effect after calls for his resignation gathered pace following two reports that revealed a culture of excessive drinking, bullying and sexual misconduct at Bangor Cathedral.

There is no suggestion that John, who became archbishop in 2021, behaved inappropriately.

Last month, he issued an "unreserved and unequivocal" personal apology regarding "the situation", saying he took full responsibility for failings under his leadership. "I repent and offer no excuses nor justifications," he added.

In addition, six "serious incident reports" were sent to the Charity Commission in the past 18 months, four relating to safeguarding and two relating to financial matters.

Financial irregularities reportedly include more than £400,000 spent on new furnishings for the cathedral with inadequate consultation, and £20,000 spent on trips to Rome and Dublin for senior staff.