Cherry Vann, the new archbishop of Wales, kept her sexuality secret for decades while striving for acceptance as a female minister. Appointed as the first female and openly gay archbishop in the UK, she broke significant barriers within the Anglican communion. Vann disclosed her civil partnership with her long-term partner, Wendy Diamond, when she became bishop of Monmouth. Working in the Church in Wales has been different from her experience in the Church of England, where gay clergy are expected to remain celibate, while the Church in Wales allows same-sex partnerships.
Without the strong belief that God had called her to the priesthood, Vann would not have survived her journey through the ranks of the church.
Cherry Vann became one of the first female priests to be ordained in England in 1994, breaking significant barriers within the Anglican communion.
As the UK's first female and openly gay archbishop, Vann has broken the stained glass ceiling and serves as a symbol of progress.
The Church in Wales has allowed clergy to be in same-sex civil partnerships, contrasting with the Church of England's expectations of celibacy for gay clergy.
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