UK’s first female archbishop tells of how she hid her sexuality for decades

New archbishop of Wales says faith kept her going through decades-long struggle for acceptance as a woman and lesbian in the Anglican church

The new archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev Cherry Vann, has told of how she kept her sexuality secret for decades as part of her struggle to be accepted as a female minister in the Anglican communion.

Speaking to the Guardian on Thursday, the day after her appointment, Vann, 66, said that without the strong belief that God had called her to the priesthood she would not have survived" her journey through the ranks of the church.