By Mark Michael The Rt. Rev. Andy John, Bishop of Bangor, was elected as the 14th Archbishop and Primate of the Church in Wales by the church’s Electoral College in its December 6 meeting at Holy Trinity Church, Llandrindod Wells. John will succeed John Davies, who retired in May after four years as the church’s primate. John, 57, a native of Aberystwyth and a Welsh speaker, … [Read more...] about Church in Wales Elects Its 14th Primate
Church in Wales
Church in Wales Approves Same-Sex Blessings
By Kirk Petersen With unanimous support of the bishops present and voting, the Church in Wales authorized a service of blessing for same-sex civil partnerships or marriages at its Governing Body meeting on September 6. The legislation enables only the blessing of secular unions -- same-sex couples still cannot have a religious wedding service in the Church in Wales. This … [Read more...] about Church in Wales Approves Same-Sex Blessings
Church of England Bishops Say No to Blessing Civil Partnerships
By Mark Michael Church of England clergy may not bless civil partnerships of any kind, according to a ruling by the church’s House of Bishops in a pastoral statement issued January 23. The teaching document, which was released a month after new laws permitting opposite-sex civil partnerships took effect, emphasized that the church’s doctrine is unchanged, "that marriage … [Read more...] about Church of England Bishops Say No to Blessing Civil Partnerships
Church Plant Draws Resistance
Plans for a church-planting partnership between the Church in Wales and London’s Holy Trinity Brompton has drawn resistance. The plan is to use the original university church of St. Andrew and St. Teilo in the Welsh capital, Cardiff. A Church in Wales media release said the project would “seek to attract young people who are currently outside the church, eventually planting … [Read more...] about Church Plant Draws Resistance
Bike-friendly Churches in Wales
In a campaign called SpiritCymru, rural Welsh churches — some of them isolated, disused, or facing uncertain futures — will become better-known. SpiritCymru, operated jointly by the Church in Wales and a mid-Wales businessman, will raise awareness of some architectural gems. SpiritCymru hopes to create awareness and raise support for struggling — even closed — rural churches … [Read more...] about Bike-friendly Churches in Wales
Welsh Video Promotes Evangelism
The Bishop of Wales has launched a film, Faith in Evangelism, that depicts projects in the church’s six dioceses: The Lounge — a lunch club at Cefe Saeson secondary school, Neath Sanctuary — pioneer ministry on housing estates and to the farming community around Llanidloes Reminiscing Café — events for people with dementia in Newtown Puppetry — entertainment with … [Read more...] about Welsh Video Promotes Evangelism
‘Pastorally Unsustainable’
Anna Morrell reports for the Church in Wales that bishops will begin to “explore formal provision for same-sex couples in church”: Members of the Church’s Governing Body agreed with the bishops that the current situation of no formal provision was “pastorally unsustainable”. They voted with a clear majority in favour of the bishops looking at new approaches which could be … [Read more...] about ‘Pastorally Unsustainable’
Bishop to Ordain Young Deacon
The youngest-ever candidate for ordination in the Church in Wales has received permission to be ordained by the Bishop of St. Asaph. Dominic Cawdell from Mold is 22 – a year younger than the usual age set for ordination – and required a dispensation from the Archbishop of Wales for his ordination at St. Asaph Cathedral on June 30. Cawdell studied theology at Cambridge … [Read more...] about Bishop to Ordain Young Deacon