Church in Wales Saga - continued

Source: Wales Online     

As the Church in Wales saga continues for all the wrong reasons the volume of comments has become rather unweildy so they may be continued here. Please remain on topic.

Emphasis remains on the election of the bishop of Monmouth as archbishop of Wales, not for her spirituality but for her sexuality which has resulted in other provinces breaking ties with the Church in Wales.

Postscript 27.08.2025

Welsh discipline case examines ecclesial and financial misconduct at Cardiff church-plant Church Times

Archbishop of Wales

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.

Postscripts 

30.07.2025

New Archbishop of Church of Wales living in blatant defiance of Christian teaching Christian Concern

01.08.2025

Church should 'represent diversity', says new archbishop BBC News

02.08.2025

Archbishop of Wales Election Shatters the Communion The Most Reverend Dr. Laurent Mbanda

Chairman, Gafcon Primates Council

18.08.2025

Church in Wales' new archbishop thinks gay marriage stance will soon change Christian Today

Bangor farce moves to Monmouth diocese

Church in Wales bishops                                                                                                                   Source: Church in Wales

1 Timothy 3

"Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money."

On 29th of July the Church in Wales Bangor charade moves to the diocese of Monmouth, the see of the second most senior bishop after the bishop of St Asaph, for the election of the 15th Archbishop of Wales.

Concerns have been expressed over the venue for the election but that the pantomime takes place in Monmouth appears curiously appropriate give the obsession of the bench with sex and same sex marriage and firsts. The bishop of Monmouth is a partnered lesbian who uses the Holy Eucharist to promote her sexual preference under the banner Beware! Our God welcomes all.

All, that is, who share the views of the bench. Believers in biblical orthodoxy are not welcome. There is no longer a pretense of twin integrities. Those promises were broken years ago.  

Despite the elaborate electoral college procedure, Buggins' turn usually prevails but given the advancing age of the three most senior bishops who knows.

The choice beyond Buggins' turn is lamentable. It could have been avoided had the bishop of Bangor not delayed his retirement until after the new archbishop is appointed but there is no transparency, only rumour and speculation indicating self interest rather than the interests of the Church. 

Given their penchant for 'firsts', the second most senior bishop, the bishop of Monmouth, would as archbishop give the bench two more firsts but a very long way from those of the past when firsts were in Theology,

Postscript 29.07.2025

 

New Archbishop of Wales to be chosen amid cathedral concerns BBC News

Something rotten in the diocese of Bangor?

The Bishop of Bangor, Andy John, at  his Enthronement as Archbishop of Wales                             Source: Church in Wales

The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, announced he was retiring 'with immediate effect' on Friday, 27 June, following a 'turbulent period for the Bangor diocese' but did not intend to retire as Bishop of Bangor until 31st August.

Back in 2022 I wrote in Disaster looms closer: 

"This extraordinary behaviour (above) of the newly enthroned archbishop of Wales, Andy John, takes place in the sanctuary in front of the Holy Table where the holy sacrifice of the Mass takes place. Nothing it seems is sacred in the Church in Wales any longer...

"The first prediction of the bishop of Bangor after his enthronement as archbishop of Wales was 'Same-sex Church in Wales marriage hope within five years'. The Holy Grail of the renewed, diverse, and inclusive Church in Wales dominated by its bench of bishops."

From Beyond a joke last year:

The latest 'first' for the Church in Wales is History is made as Church appoints its youngest ever bishop. Emphasising his same sex relationship we are told that in his spare time, 'David enjoys spending time with his fiancé, Marc Penny, and his cat, Gordon'. Not a 'first'. That record goes to the bishop of Monmouth who lives with her same sex partner.

From the BBC's article Church in Wales calls for investigation of diocese: While there is no suggestion the archbishop behaved inappropriately, the church's representative body said there must be a "change in leadership, procedures and governance in the Diocese of Bangor".

The full facts are concealed by the publication only of summaries of 'two critical reports' but the resposibility for this sorry state is the archbishop's resulting from his appointments which appear to have been based on sexuality rather than sprituality to fullfil his stated dream of Same-sex Church in Wales marriage within five years'. 

Andy John appointed an assistant bishop to run the diocese of Bangor while he concentrated on his duties as archbishop. He now has none while Bangor has a bishop and an assistant bishop

As senior diocesan bishop he, presumably, will be resposible for organising the election of the new archbishop.

His meddling looks set to continue along with that of his mentor, Barry Morgan. 

The farce continues.         

Postscripts 

6 July 2025 Exit painful amid church crisis, says ex-archbishop BBC news

10 July2025 Statement on recent media coverage Church in Wales, Provincial News

                    

                    BBC Wales investigates on July 10 2025 BBC iPlayer

11 July 2025  New Dean appointed to Bangor Cathedral Church in Wales

                    From AB archives Theology today

                    Ex-Archbishop was aware of sexual assault allegations BBC News

22 July 2025 Election of the Archbishop of Wales Church in Wales, Provincial News

The Bangor Problem

 

The Archbishop of Wales (right) and gay pride supporters, the sub-dean of Bangor and former Mayor. Source: Twitter

A problem has occured with Blogger comments. Four comments recived today for publication have not appeared. I have not found a solution. Others have had a similar problem.

If this publication workers commentators may have more success here. Fingers crossed!

If no more comments appear readers will at least be aware of the problem.

Postscripts

23 June 2025 Statement on Bangor Cathedral Visitation Report implementation

25 June 2025 Representative Body Statement on Bangor Cathedral: 

    

    "The Representative Body of the Church in Wales met today to consider matters relating to Bangor Cathedral. After extensive and detailed discussions, the meeting has been adjourned, and a statement will be issued in due course."

27 June 2025 

1.    Church in Wales charities probed by Charity Commission 

    This report from Martin Shipton of Nation Cymru includes details of a letter written to the Church in Wales’ Bench of Bishops by an angered worshipper of more than 40 years. Well worth a read. AB

2.    Retirement of the Archbishop of Wales:

"Statement from the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd. Andrew John

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you to announce my immediate retirement today as Archbishop of Wales. I also intend to retire as Bishop of Bangor on August 31st.

It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. I cannot thank you enough for the privilege of working at your side for the sake of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire and I will be in touch again about the way in which this might happen.

Thank you, and Christ give you joy and peace in believing.

+Andy"

3.    Archbishop of Wales quits as Church leaders lose faith in his leadership Nation Cymru

30 June 2025 Church urged to share full reports as Archbishop retires

1 July 2025 

1.    Statement from the Representative Body of the Church in Wales on Bangor Cathedral

2.    Church in Wales calls for investigation of diocese BBC News

5 July 2025  'Any excuse to go to pub' culture at crisis-hit cathedral BBC News

Church in Wales in crisis

Archbishop of Wales Andrew John said while this had been "a sobering time, it also offers us opportunity for change" Source:  BBC

From the BBC: Multiple serious referrals made about cathedral

Among the complaints was a "culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred."

The Archbishop of Wales responded: "...while this had been 'a sobering time, it also offers us opportunity for change'."

Indeed. Concern was expressed in 2024 over the archbishop's judgement. He could set an example, take his own advice and go.

But if he were to go it would be out of the frying pan into the fire as the bench pushes its gay marriage agenda strongly favoured by the next in line, the bishop of St Asaph 

The archbishop could hardly have made a stronger statement of intent than his appointment of the assistant bishop of Bangor, the so called bishop of Bardsey who is engaged to another man.

The Church in Wales already has an openly lesbian bishop, the bishop of Monmouth.

The direction is clear.

There can be little if any hope for the Church in Wales with such secular bishops. The archbishop should be a man of God not the zeitgeist.

Postscripts

Church in Wales confirms financial irregularities relating to Archbishop’s protégé

Explained: The Bangor Cathedral scandal -Premier Christianity

Mass resignations leave churches in shock as Diocese of St Asaph issues statement

Easter 2025

The Resurrection by Cecco del Caravaggio (1619–20)                                 Source: Wikipedia

                                                       

Wishing you a Happy and Blessed Easter