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| Right Revd Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth and OTN Patron Source: OTN |
BBC News Wales has announced that the 15th Archbishop of Wales is to be the bishop of Monmouth, Cherry Vann.
As predicted, two more 'firsts' for the Church in Wales.
As predicted, two more 'firsts' for the Church in Wales.
Postscript 30.07.2025
Excellent news!!
ReplyDeleteAllow me the honour of being the first to proclaim just how utterly magnificent and heartening this news is! A steady, capable hand, indeed. +Cherry has been nothing short of a lighthouse, guiding Monmouth away from the precipice of the crisis she inherited. May she shine the same radiant light upon the Church in Wales. Truly, by her fruits, we have known her.
ReplyDeleteElector
I echo this view. My sources there tell me her work in Manchester Diocese was widely respected (as was she) by those from across the spectrum of church tradition - even by those who were fundamentally opposed to women in holy orders, or gay people in holy orders. It was her integrity, willingness to engage with and make provision for those she disagreed with, and wanting to work for the good of all that won her respect. My wider sources in the Church of England tell me a similar story of her work in the national General Synod role she held. Once again, my sources in Monmouth present a very similar picture. On the whole, my sources are also consistent about her less positive side - she is not the most charismatic of people (particularly when ‘up front’), and though she is actually a very pastorally aware and astute person, she can come across as cold at times.
DeleteBut if I were still in the CiW, I would be rejoicing today as I’d much rather have a slightly aloof, slightly boring seeming person of integrity who is a natural reconciler and willing to make accommodation for all - including those she disagrees with - than a duplicitous show pony, or a half-wit who thinks they know it all just because they wear a purple shirt and pointy hat.
I realise her election won’t be thought good news by everyone, though, and had there been a wider (and better) field of candidates from which to choose, I may have taken a different view, just because of the strength of feeling some have about her gender and sexuality. But as things stand, I think her election gives the CiW the best chance it has of rebuilding after several dreadful (including one scandalous and disastrous) recent appointments to the role. The electors have done their job well, in my view.
From henceforth the electoral college should be known as a 'Cherry Picker'
ReplyDeleteWhat place for evangelicals now?
ReplyDeleteThere are evangelicals and evangelicals. By no means all are opposed to female ministry and/or same-sex relationships although some (for instance the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches) are. In my own Baptist denomination (Baptist Union of Great Britain, not of Wales) there is a breadth of opinion although I'd guess that (say) 65-70% would take a conservative line with respect to same-sex relationship and a far lower percentage would reject female leadership. (NB Not all Baptists are evangelical, although most are).
DeleteLet us hope it is the end for evangelicals in Wales as they have destroyed the church from within. Cherry is exactly what we need.
DeletePetronas
The Methodist Church?
ReplyDeleteSir Omicron Pi
Now here's an idea. As Minus Morris is now, effectively, redundant Oop North. Why not translate him to Tintern? First Female gay Archbishop with a gay assistant, and soon to be married to his husband. Another FIRST.
ReplyDeleteSir Omicron Pi.
In my opinion, it is time he spent some years serving in very ordinary parishes, where he can prove he has the character appropriate to a priest, let alone a bishop. Let’s see how he gets on without being obsessed with getting on and having a gullible fool to flatter into being his patron. Hopefully he would prove us all wrong and come out at the end of it a far better priest and bishop.
DeleteI hear this sentiment in many quarters. Sounds harsh, but I think it necessary if as a Church we are to regain any credibility. A few years honest parish work under his belt, having popped his mitre in the bottom draw. Put a distance between 'what was' and 'what should be'. He'll emerge the better. He's as much a casualty isn't he, poor dab.
DeleteAsaph
Can't see any legitimate reason why Monmouth would need an assistant bishop. It's close enough to Cardiff where the RB is based and the Diocese isn't geographically big enough or populated enough to need another mitre.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy for Bishop Cherry's appointment but I suspect Bishop David's future is in parish ministry.
Calixtus
Archbishop John Davies did not have an Assistant Bishop. I can’t see that Bangor needed one either. Rowan Williams, the last Bishop of Monmouth to be Archbishop, didn’t have an Assistant Bishop, although Bishop David Thomas of blessed memory helped from time to time. Cherry Vann doesn’t need one either.
DeleteOne could almost formulate a law that if Archbishop Andy John could make a mistake he would.
One mistake was to appoint (by delegation) a Dean in his final weeks in office, instead of leaving the appointment to his successor, who would have to work with the Dean.
Another mistake was to appoint an Assistant Bishop at the age of 38. I remember that when one Archbishop of Wales needed an Assistant Bishop he told me that the person selected had to be of roughly the Archbishop’s own age. This was to ensure that the Assistant would not be active for too long after the diocese ceased to be an Archbishop’s see. Bishop David Morris could be Assistant Bishop of Bangor for over 30 more years (assuming the Church in Wales survives that long). An unfortunate appointment for the man himself and the diocese.
Cymro Alltud
A lesbian in a civil partnership whose first contact with the Church in Wales was when she was summoned from waiting in the room next door to the electoral college to be photographed with her live-in girlfriend.
ReplyDeleteAt this point the Church in Wales are being downright fraudulent describing themselves as a Christian organisation.
ReplyDelete"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions."
That time is now. Personal passions consistently rank above sound teaching, which is why the feminists and the gays with their own proud and human-centric agenda, have taken over the easily led and weak.
"For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them."
Sad, very sad times.
Very sad indeed, Veritas.
Delete"As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.”
Isaiah 3:12
I generally agree with Father Duddleswell. I'm met Cherry several times and his analysis is spot on. If she is the reconciler many attest to then she could be a good interim. It's insane to me why Bangor was not filled first though.
DeleteIdeally a mix between her, John Lomas and Dorrien Davies would have been preferable being in a first marriage with an opposite sex partner according to Apostolic teaching. But things are so dire in CiW, she seems to be the best of the bunch who are willing. It may be that +St Asaph declined the 'buggins' turn and somehow Cherry has risen to the top?
The question now - does +Bardsey translate to +Caerleon? It would show steel to decline David and opt for one's own choice, but I think she will offer it to him at least. Don't worry, the RB will cough up more of your money for the move from Bangor to Cyncoed!
She will take an Assistant under the recommendations of the Monmouth Review.
Whamab
A sad day indeed.
ReplyDeleteI shall have to change my name - any altar angel would be ashamed to be still there....
DeleteQuite literally nothing less than a complete disaster.
ReplyDeleteLet's see if the "slightly boring seeming person of integrity who is a natural reconciler and willing to make accommodation for all" will appoint a replacement Bishop for David Thomas, in order to cater for those of us who refuse to accept Priestesses, queers and queens.
The smart money is already on a big fat No.
Far more likely that she'll promote the trans creature of St. John's in Cardiff to minister to the hordes of delusional self-identifiers clamouring to get into the cult in Wales.
DeleteBewildered
That is the danger, let's see if she will appoint an 'orthodox' evangelical or anglo-catholic and not a revisionist liberal.
DeleteWhamab
The Grand Mufti of all the Faiths will no doubt be dancing a jig tonight in his very own little Mordor, Llys Ego.
DeleteOh, the sheer calamity. A thoughtful and qualified Archbishop is appointed and suddenly the Church is teetering on the edge of moral collapse. How bold of her to exist without asking permission from the 1953 edition of church etiquette. But do carry on, your discomfort says more than you realise, and it will keep saying it every time you look in the glass.
DeleteBangor Congregant
It has nothing to do with 1953 but everything to do with that book, you know, the one you love to ignore, called the Bible. And its teachings which are unequivocally clear about the abomination that is homosexuality, let alone the clear teachings of St Paul who was tasked with ensuring the Church continued as Jesus intended.
DeleteYou are nothing more than a congregant in a club for deviants. Enjoy.
As expected! DISMAYED.
ReplyDeleteI have no sympathy for the remaining gullible pew-sitters.
ReplyDeleteWhen the votes were fiddled thirty years ago to begin ordaining women as priestesses, there were plenty of people providing early warnings of the likely end result.
And here we are, only 28 years later and everything that was predicted has come about.
Wales now has its very own Kathryn Jefferts Schori.
Indeed Cymru'r Groes.
Deletehttps://ancientbritonpetros.blogspot.com/2022/05/a-feminist-future-for-church-in-wales.html
Excellent news! Congratulations Archbishop Cherry!
ReplyDeleteRevival in Wales starts tomorrow.
DeleteDaniel Rowland
🤣🤣🤣
DeleteRegression in Wales accelerates tomorrow.
George & Kevin will have a field day on Anglican Unscripted.
Cherry is the entirely predictable DEI Common Purpose Stonewall box-ticking ✅ shoo-in.
Who really gives the slightest importance to what George & Kevin have to say. If you have ever watched any of their YouTube worship services online, then you'll know that they are as dull as can be. Let them enjoy their inconsequential echo-chamber. ++Cherry won't be watching.
DeleteElect-her
That must be the reason the viewing numbers for Anglican Unscripted continue to grow, unlike anything in the cult in Wales.
DeleteOn the upside, perhaps Offa's trench will now also be in the running for Canterbury and be translated to Kent before she can be installed in Wales
ReplyDelete😂
This is such good news. She is prayerful in her work, considerate in her dealings with others, and understanding of her position. We should pray for her, for ourselves, for our church. She preaches with care and wisdom. Her work in Monmouth has dealt with complex issues sympathetically, we need her wisdom, her ability to bring people together, support her in her work. Her command of incidental liturgical welsh is sound. Those around her speak highly of her, those who have met her understand that she is so aware of he congregations needs. Pray for her ..... she has been given responsibilities that few of us could assume. I am proud she is our Archbishop .....
ReplyDeleteVomit inducing drivel.
Delete🤢 🤮
What, I wonder, will now become of the massive and lavish timber edifice Andrew John spent thousands on to create for himself - as archbishop - an outside shed 'Prayer Room' which took up much of his garden. A huge, expensively furnished monstrosity. He argued that he needed it for worship gatherings of his droves of visitors and pilgrims who'd come to pay homage. Will it now be crane-hoisted onto a wide-load transporter and re-erected in Monmouth? Perhaps, as it was never used, it could be returned to IKEA or B&Q for a refund. Another example of brash unnecessary spending in Bangor. Hopefully the new Bishop of Bangor will simply use a local church or cathedral for praying rather than build himself a private facility.
DeleteCherry sounds as if she will be a breath of fresh air. So different to the recent pompous egotistical fools. I pray she will be a positive force for good in our Church and for Wales.
ReplyDeleteShe's merely another self-interested Stonewall disciple spreading the queered rainbow poison to the feeble minded.
DeleteBewildered
Open your eyes and your mind and perhaps the God of surprises will change your outlook.
ReplyDeleteSounds to me suspiciously like you're suggesting conversion therapy....🤣🤣🤣
DeleteIf Cherryade is as sweet and refreshing and so capable of quenching the C-in-W thirst for change why are almost all AB Bloggers suggesting we should pray for her??! If God has already created an archbishop of such perfection - as some maintain - what more do you expect of Him? He's a busy chap ... there's a whole lot of 'Pardoning' and Forgiving of former and serving Bishops and Deans to do which after all is what his job is.
ReplyDeleteI recall same shout out for Prayers when Andrew John was elected Archbishop 'Pray for Andy' etc. Fat lot of good that did!
DeleteSuch were the utterances of the clanging gongs and clashing cymbals.
DeleteThe LGBTQIA2S flag on the altar says it all. A symbol of Pride and of pride.
ReplyDeleteDisheartened
The image is well chosen by AB in order to be inflammatory. This was a one off engagement undertaken by Bishop Cherry when she was invited to speak at Open Table. Cherry doesn't carry a progress flag with her on her visits to churches in order to display it on the altar. Not her style.
DeleteSo, far from the flag saying 'it all', in this context, it says very little and certainly much less than you infer. Nothing to see here.
PoppingYourCherry
If she was as virtuous as you suggest she could have asked for it to be removed and she doesn't need to carry the rag while she has gormless gay minions to do the dirty work for her.
DeleteThe image certainly speaks volumes as was intended by those who posed for the photograph, those who took the photograph and those who published it, none of whom were Ancient Briton.
Clowns to the left, Jokers to the right and Cherry front & centre.
Bewildered
No. You’re wrong. Nothing to see here. Open Table event - the progress altar frontal is commonplace.
DeletePoppingYourCherry
No I'm not wrong.
DeleteThe "progress" flag on anything is an affront but on an Altar it's sacrilege.
God does not bless sin.
Take your queer theology and shove it it in your bonus hole.
I’d enjoy that. Thing is, you know you would too.
DeleteCheriffic.
No doubt you would.
Delete🥱🥱🥱🥱😴😴😴😴
'Bishop' David. . You seem to have many incarnations on this site! Let's hope all these thousands of gay people will now start attending church, but I doubt it. I trust your stress will soon be over and you can start earning your over inflated stipend from your totally unnecessary position.
ReplyDeleteSir Omicron Pi
Bitter and unnecessary. You clearly fancy him.
DeleteCherrific
He does seem obsessed!!!
DeleteThe article from "Christian Concern" says it all for me. We already have deans and archdeacons of dubious morality expecting to serve us, now we have an archbishop elect who will expect to do the same. In my dismay I'm going to steer clear of all of them and look elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteGood riddance. Tatty Bye.
DeleteCherrific
Cherific you shouldn't be saying good riddance to those who disagree with you. You can't see how distressed many of us are. It's just as bad in England as it's strongly assumed that the Bishop of Chelmsford (Iranian born woman) is to be Archbishop of Canterbury. Canon Giles Fraser is urging the incoming ABC to do a same sex marriage in Westminster Abbey within one week of Enthronement. That would be the end of the Anglican Communion. Like you Cherific, he doesn't mind kicking in the guts those who've given decades of time and talents and money to the Church. Some of us have no idea where to go. Saying good riddance to us is highly offensive.
DeleteCymraes yn Lloegr
You've dressed up your prejudice as orthodoxy, and we see through it. Good riddance to you. You'll find like minded, narrow minded, racist and homophobic kinfolk in Gafcon. Don't delay, off with you.
DeleteCheriffic
So Cherific you've decided that I'm narrow minded, racist and homophobic. You're so wrong. My heritage is part Indian so please explain why you're so sure I'm racist. How come some of my wider family speak a Middle Eastern language as mother tongue. I was adopted into a Welsh speaking family which is how I'm a Cymraes. Please explain how I'm homophobic when a lot of my friends are in stable same sex relationships. Please provide the evidence that I preach to them or make homophobic comments to them, as you're so certain about this. Otherwise go and find someone else to troll.
DeleteCymraes yn Lloegr
You’ve explained yourself and I apologise - I take back the indictment around race. Too far.
DeleteCheriffic
I sense a strong and verging on aggressive Lesbian-aggro flow of messaging in all this post-Cherry discussion; many of whom probably have no interest whatsoever in the core subject.
ReplyDeleteIf ++Cherry Vann intends to swiftly end the strife within, then at least she ought perhaps put out her own message to have the Lesbo blogging stopped. If she doesn't then perhaps AB (himself) should regain control of his site; a blogsite which used to be interesting to refer to ... but now becoming power-point of Lesbian advocacy. Only Cherry Vann can stop this - unless of course she's enjoying her fan-zone appreciation society.
Probably her girlfriend is behind it all.
DeleteBewildered
Old Bill,
DeleteInteresting how you only care when people are arguing the other side? Yourself and many other geriatric complainants spew endless rhetoric on this site year round, but that has never been stopped. Why should the new archbishop go out of her way to stop comments on a site that has no real implications on anything? Frankly, this site is normally an echo chamber for old men to try to propagate hatred, so it’s refreshing to see the other side for once.
Benedictus.
I think what’s possibly surprised you is that the flow of messaging has been congratulatory in tone.
DeleteCheriffic
I'm guessing most of the old men will also be representing the views of their old ladies.
DeleteThe "flow" has been so obviously manufactured by one person unconvincingly posing as multiple noms-de-plume.
Risible.