Adapted from the Church in Wales
The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev. Barry Morgan, will retire next week after nearly 14 years at the helm of the Church in Wales and 24 years as a bishop.
Morgan, who is the longest serving archbishop in the Anglican Communion and one of the longest serving bishops, will retire on his 70th birthday on Jan. 31. He will also retire as Bishop of Llandaff after more than 17 years, having previously been Bishop of Bangor for nearly seven years.
The Archbishop of Canterbury described Morgan as an “extraordinary servant” who will be “deeply missed,” while the First Minister of Wales praised his “vast contribution” to Welsh life. The Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, senior bishop in Wales, praised his “courageous leadership” of the Church in Wales. The Children’s Commissioner for Wales praised the progress made by the Church on child protection under Morgan’s leadership.
During his tenure as Archbishop, Morgan has championed many changes in the Church in Wales, including a change in its law to enable women to be ordained as bishops and the implementation of a radical strategy, 2020 Vision, to help the church grow and prosper in the approach to its centenary year. He has also played a prominent role in public life, campaigning most notably for a fair devolution settlement for the Welsh Government and speaking out on matters of moral concern.
