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

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

True colours

WATCH gathering                                                                                                                    Source: WATCH/Church Times

From the Church Times: "A CAMPAIGN to end the provisions that accompanied the women-bishops legislation of 2014, put in place to provide for those unable to accept women’s ministry (News, 28 July 2014), was launched by Women and the Church (WATCH) on Saturday.

"The campaign group hopes to see a motion brought to the General Synod, asking members to consider “whether it is right for the 2014 House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests to continue in perpetuity and, if not, to set a date for it to come to an end”. The plans were discussed at the “Not Yet Equal Conference” at St John’s, Waterloo, in London. WATCH aims to roll out roadshows across dioceses in the coming months, in the hope of getting the motion carried by diocesan synods. An alternative approach would be a private member’s motion.

"WATCH is also encouraging women clergy to log experiences of “harassment”, with a view to bringing a case under the Equality Act (2010)." Full report here.

The bishop of Croydon, Dr Rosemary Mallet (pictured above), said "The Principles 'help to reinforce' the 'unequal and iniquitous gendered culture of the current Church of England', Dr Mallett said on Saturday. The foundations of this culture lay in the 1993 settlement, which established Provincial Episcopal Visitors (PEV) and 'allowed . . . churches to limit women’s roles on grounds of theological conviction'."

Dr Mallet lays bare the guiding principles of WATCH, feminist equality in a secularised Church. Theology has no place in the minds of these deceitful women. 

She went on: "With hindsight, we never really thought through how this agreement would build on those foundations, cementing in both official and unofficial practices in churches a perpetuation of women’s unequal treatment and the continued discrimination against women."

The deceit is mind blowing. Using the Church to further their feminist ideals, these women have reached their goal of women bishops by stealth, regardless of the hurt they have caused for those who on theological grounds are unable to accept their secular agenda.

Step by step WATCH have argued that it did not mean that women would become priests if they were allowed to become deacons. When they were made deacons they argued that being a deacon was preparation for the priesthood. When women were admitted to the priesthood they claimed that the Church was dicriminating against women if they were not allowed to become bishops in a three-fold ministry.

'Mutual flourishing' enabled these feminists to achieve their goal. Now they want to end the provisions that accompanied the women-bishops legislation. 

Sadly the people to whom WATCH appeal have the same secular outlook. They are unable to see through the lies because many attending Church have become secularised.

WATCH's Not Equal Yet Campaign claims that "Our national Church is getting away with discriminating against women, limiting female leadership, at every level of the organisation."

It shows them in their true colours. They want those of us who do not agree with them to be left with nothing.

It is appropriate that the article is dated 1st April. WATCH have made fools of the Church.  

Postscript

  Promises to traditionalists should be kept, Forward in Faith says - Church Times    

New Year's resolution

King Charles delivering his Christmas Day speech   Source: Christian Today

I did not have the same enthusiasm for the King's Christmas message as I did for his mother's messages. 

As head of the Church of England, HM Queen Elizabeth II could always be relied on to uphold the Christian faith.

In a 2022 entry I wrote Christianity on the wane in England and Wales commenting on Charles' wish be 'Defender of Faith', rather than 'Defender of the Faith', as though all faiths are the same when they clearly are not. 

The speech, broadcast from an ex-hospital chapel which is available to all faiths as if to emphasise the point, was watched by 6.8 million out of a UK population off around 69 million people. For comparison Gavin and Stacey: The Finale was warched by 12.32 million and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl by 9.38 million.

In his 2024 message Charles said, "But, on this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict – in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere – pose a daily threat to so many people's lives and livelihoods."

King Charles went on to say "Diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provides strength not weakness" but as commented on in Christian Today 'That is not self-evidently true'.

There is one faith/ideology that frequently appears in the news as the main source of conflict. Less frequent is the reporting of the deaths, kidnappings and other atrocities regularly perpetrated in Africa and elsewhere around the globe. According to Open Doors, three fifths of the countries listed suffer persecution as a result of this one ideology.

While the hand of friendship is extended to its adherants in the United Kingdom, blind eyes are turned to world events. Thousands of people who do not share our values continue to enter the UK seeking to replace our culture with theirs. 

As demonstrations in the UK are becoming more devisive it has become risky to comment on such matters for fear of attracting accusations of a hate crime. Free speech in Britain is at risk.

Christianity is being diluted in the name of diversity. Recently I read a report “Woke” MoD Bosses to Strip Cross From Military Cap Badge  as part of efforts to make the British Army chaplains department more diverse and multicultural. I wonder what Queen Elizabeth would have had to say about that.

The situation is becoming dire. We have a woke government and a woke church.

For full assessment by former Queen's Chaplain Gavin Ashenden watch King Charles Christmas Speech - A Declaration of Civil War. 

 A good New Year's resolution would be to pray for our increasingly dis-United Kingdom.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Postscript 03.01.2025

PRAYER ALERT: One-year-old killed as Nigerian Christians targeted at Christmas

Christmas Greetings 2024

The Light of the World, François Boucher 1750                                                                                           Source: Wikipedia

With Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas

 and

 Peaceful New Year