Hundreds pack Newport Cathedral for the Enthronement of the 15th Archbishop of Wales
The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Reverend Cherry Vann, was enthroned in a national service at St Woolos Cathedral, Newport, on Saturday, 8th November.
The enthronement followed the Archbishop’s election by the Electoral College of the Church in Wales in July.
Originally from Leicestershire, Cherry Vann was ordained as a deacon in 1989. She was then among the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1994. After serving in various roles in the Diocese of Manchester, including as chaplain to the deaf community, she then served as Archdeacon of Rochdale for 11 years before being consecrated as Bishop of Monmouth in 2020. She continues in the role of Bishop of Monmouth.
What happens at an enthronement?
At the ceremony in St Woolos Cathedral, Archbishop Cherry was enthroned in the Archepiscopal Chair in front of the High Altar. The Chair will remain at Newport Cathedral throughout her time as Archbishop.
On entrance to the Cathedral, the Archbishop was greeted by a young member of the Choir. This took place at the font in the oldest part of the Cathedral, where Gwynllyw (Woolos) founded his church in 5th century. An act of penitence led by Archbishop Cherry, whilst kneeling before the throne, followed.
Later in the service, the oaths of office were taken using the Monmouth Archbishops’ Bible used at the enthronement of all previous Bishops of Monmouth who have become Archbishop of Wales - Edwin Morris, Derek Childs, Rowan Williams, and now Archbishop Cherry.
Once enthroned and greeted by the whole assembly from across Wales and beyond, the Archbishop took her seat on the Archiepiscopal throne as the Cathedral Choir sing The Call of Wisdom by Will Todd, composed for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and sung at St Paul’s Cathedral for her Diamond Jubilee service.
Archbishop Cherry then preached before leading the congregation in the Nicene Creed, this year being its 1700th anniversary.
Dr Cynan Llwyd, Secretary General of Cytûn, the partnership body for churches in Wales, introduced the Archbishop to church and faith leaders from across Wales, whilst Bishop David Morris introduced the Archbishop to representatives of the Church of England, the Church of Ireland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Archbishop of Uppsala, representing the Porvoo Churches, an ecumenical fellowship of European Anglican and Evangelical Lutheran churches, of which the Church in Wales is a member.
Prayers followed, led by pupils from St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School, Cardiff and Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, St Davids. The service concluded with an Act of Commitment to the mission of the church and with an older chorister asking the Archbishop if she will promote the wellbeing and unity of the Church and be a Good Shepherd to her people after the example of Christ.
The Archbishop and clergy then processed out of the Cathedral.
The music for the service was led by the Director of Music, Tom Coxhead, and the Cathedral Choir.
The service featured the Welsh-language Kyrie composed by Paul Mealor, which was sung at the Coronation of King Charles in 2023. It was sung by the young Welsh bass-baritone Owain Wyn Rowlands. The former Royal Harpist, Alis Huws, who also played at the Coronation, also took part.
The Cross of Wales, a processional Cross given by The King as a gift to the churches in Wales for its centenary, led the procession into the cathedral.
Order of proceedings:
- 2:15 PM – All guests seated/robed
- 2:30 PM – Dean welcomed dignitaries, last entry for guests, live stream started
- 2:45 PM – Clergy procession
- 3:00 PM – Enthronement service began
- 4:30 PM – Reception began
The Very Reverend Ian Black, Dean of Newport Cathedral, said, “It is a delight to be able to welcome everyone to the Cathedral for this special moment in the life of the Church in Wales. This marks a new beginning, as we pray that together we may seek to be bearers of light and hope in our nation.”
The service was live-streamed on social media and the Church in Wales’ website to enable wider participation.
The enthronement of the first Archbishop of Wales was on the 1st June 1920 at St Asaph Cathedral. This followed the Disestablishment of the Church and its independence of the Church of England. You can watch the service here: (19) Enthronement of the First Archbishop of Wales June 1st 1920 - YouTube
Archbishop Cherry is the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Wales, making this enthronement a truly significant and historic occasion.
When first elected as Archbishop, she said: "The first thing I shall need to do is to ensure that the issues which have been raised in the last six months are properly addressed and that I work to bring healing and reconciliation, and to build a really good level of trust across the Church and the communities the Church serves.”
The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, said: “I am hugely pleased to welcome Cherry as the 15th Archbishop of Wales. In her time as bishop of Monmouth, she brought healing at a time of need, and a vision of the Church as a renewed community under Christ that can now be translated and enlarged for the whole of the Church in Wales.”