Most Rev Cherry Vann is the Church in Wales’ first female archbishop. She is also openly gay and has been in a same-sex relationship for more than 30 years.
Her appointment has been welcomed by progressives in the church but criticised by conservatives who say it goes against the Bible.
It has led to further discussion over the Anglican church’s attitude towards sexuality at a time when the Church of England is in the process of selecting a new Archbishop of Canterbury and grappling with its Living in Love and Faith process to discern a way forward on matters of sexuality and gender.
Helen King, who is also a former trustee of Women and the Church (WATCH) told Premier that she’s surprised that the discussion is now primarily focused on sexuality rather than the gender of the archbishop:
“The conservatives in the Church of England aren't focusing on the fact that she's a woman. They're focusing entirely on her sexuality, which seems to me even less relevant actually.
“I think, living in a freely chosen, consensual relationship with someone of the same sex in a culture where that's also legal, is just not a problem. These are not the sorts of abusive relationships that the Bible talks about, and they should not be read by those standards.”
Women in the Church in Wales were able to be ordained as priests in 1997 and then, after many more years of debate, in 2013 the church voted to allow women bishops for the first time. The Church of England followed suit a year later. Parishes that object to the ministry of women bishops can opt out of their authority, receiving oversight from a male bishop instead.
Many argue that while Jesus did not explicitly address "church leadership" in the way it's understood today, his actions and teachings towards women in the Gospels offer a foundation for interpretation regarding women's roles in Christian communities.
Helen King said: “In terms of what's in the Bible, there's no discussion of the sexuality of who should lead, because it really wasn't an issue. Jesus's comments on sexuality are kind of non- existent. You can quote Jesus on marriage and on divorce. Then, of course, people interpret what they think that meant in its context, but in terms of the sexuality of a leader, there's nothing on it.
“I think we can accept that people have different views. The problem, of course, is bringing people with those views into the same room.”
Susie Leafe, who is director of Anglican Futures, which offers practical and pastoral support to conservative Christians, told Premier Archbishop Vann’s appointment scuppers “any chance of the Anglican Communion coming back together".
“Many have already left the church over the decisions that have already been made and I'm aware, on speaking to different people, that many more will do the same," she said. "These are the Biblically literate people, conscious about their discipleship, seriously minded about their faith, and they're considering their options.”