The Archbishop of Cardiff, the Most Rev Mark O’Toole, who is also the Bishop of Menevia, has announced that he wants to merge two of the three Catholic dioceses in Wales which would result in just two dioceses covering the whole of Wales, one in the North and one in the South.
According to Wikipedia the estimated Catholic population of the Diocese of Menevia is 26,266 out of a total population of 788,550 (3.3%). Googling indicates that the Catholic population in the Archdiocese of Cardiff was 132,450 in 2021.
Current Church in Wales attendance figures are a matter of speculation since they are no longer reported but the latest membership figure for the whole of Wales published in Wikipedia was 45,759 in 2016 compared with 91,247 in 1996. The average Sunday attendance of Anglicans over 18 in 2016 had fallen to 26,110.
Ignoring the recommendations in the 2012 Church in Wales Review, the ever shrinking Anglican Church in Wales still maintains six dioceses with six diocesan bishops, deans, numerous archdeacons and a growing army of administrators to assist the bishops.
Church in Wales bishops are out of control. They have abandoned the Christian faith for the excesses of secularism and have left many faithful Anglicans with no sacramental or pastoral provision.
A wicked end to a once great Church.
However far the C in W has lost ground, in many areas it is still the default denomination, even if only for a Christian funeral. The RC Church, by contrast, is unlikely to take on that role -- not least because it doesn't have a place of worship in (almost?) every town and village or the prominent and often historic parish churches belonging to the C in W. That said (and this has often been pointed out on this blog), it is quite ridiculous that there should be six dioceses, six bishops, six cathedrals and six sets of diocesan administration in an institution which could be run perfectly well with half that number.
ReplyDeleteA place of worship in (almost?) every town and village?
DeleteHysterically funny!
Shame there's not a proper anglican priest to open and man each of those churches so they're available to use for the purposes for which they were built.
I believe the buildings are still there, or most of them, even if they're not fully manned (or womaned).
DeleteFar too many are closed, shuttered and being sold.
DeleteMany more are simply locked and empty seven days a week.
Misery areas of ten former Parishes and churches, served only by one "priest" and a couple of lay readers.
Speaking of excesses, the Pope has gone woke.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67751600
Roman Catholic priests can now perform same sex blessings.
The anti-Christ is now dancing in the Vatican.
The BCCC is reports to have responded in pretty much the same terms.
DeletePope Francis is satanic.
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ReplyDeleteI celebrated the Eucharist at the home of a former churchwarden in a village on Anglesey on St. Stephen's Day. She still attends her parish church when a monthly service is held. On Christmas Eve, their vicar (Ministry Area Leader) turned up and led a non-Euchatistic service wearing a Christmas jumper. No Holy Communion over Christmas. This is not the first time this has happened. I also celebrate Holy Communion at the home of a clergy widow on Anglesey, who hasn't seen an Anglican cleric for years despite asking to see one. There are swathes of the island with no liturgical provision and no pastoral care.
ReplyDelete"Da was, da a ffyddlon. Well done good and faithful servant".
DeleteEnforcer
Llais yn llefain yn yr anialwch yr ydych yn Ynys Mon Tad ond daliwch ati a diolch i chi.
ReplyDeleteThe Watchman.
The Pope has not gone woke..the recent Papal document allows for brief blessings of thise in irregular situations but insists it is only within marriage that sex can be allowed andvthe Church gas no piwer to alter this....section 5.The blessings must not be liturgical and are there to help the parties find grace to change their life.
ReplyDelete