Latest news with #AndrewJohn
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Archbishop of Wales retires with immediate effect amid 'blurred sexual boundaries' reports into 'cathedral failings'
The Archbishop of Wales has announced his sudden retirement following a critical report into the culture at one of his cathedrals. In a statement issued this evening, the Most Reverend Andrew John said he would also be stepping down from his role as Bishop of Bangor on August 31. It follows a safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral which found complaints about 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred'. There were also claims of excessive drinking and 'inappropriate language' being used in front of younger members of the choir. The full reports are yet to be published but summaries have been posted on the Church of Wales's website. There is no suggestion that the archbishop has behaved inappropriately. Announcing his retirement on Friday, Mr John said: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. 'I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire.' While no mention of the report was made in his retirement announcement, Mr John has previously faced calls to resign. John Pockett, a member of the Church in Wales for almost 70 years, said according to the BBC: 'The leader of the Church in Wales is at the centre of all this. 'He is the Archbishop, he is the leader and it has happened at his Cathedral. 'It sullies the name of the Church in Wales across the country. [Archbishop of Wales] Andy John needs to come out and state plainly what has happened.' Meanwhile, Ruth Jones, Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, said: 'We want openness and transparency in all our church settings and it's really, really important that the archbishop makes clear what has gone on.' Two priests from within Bangor Cathedral have also called an independent inquiry following the report into the church's culture. Mr John previously offered his 'most heartfelt apology to any members of the cathedral community who have been hurt or who feel I have let them down'. Mr John assumed the role of Bishop of Bangor in 2008. He was elected Archbishop of Wales in December 2021 and was the 14th person to hold the title.
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Archbishop of Wales steps down after report into Bangor cathedral scandal
Archbishop of Wales steps down after report into Bangor cathedral scandal Andrew John's sudden retirement comes after reports into the Bangor diocese raised concerns about excessive drinking and 'sexual behaviour' Archbishop Andy John, the Archbishop of Wales and leader of Church in Wales has announced his retirement. (Image: Church in Wales ) The Archbishop of Wales has announced his immediate retirement. The Most Revd. Andrew John confirmed he also intendeds to retire as the Bishop of Bangor on August 31. His sudden retirement comes in the wake of two reports, commissioned by the Church in Wales over concerns about the culture surrounding the Bangor Diocese. The reports referenced inappropriate behaviour, lack of boundaries, excessive alcohol consumption and "sexual behaviour–that did not reflect the professional standards expected in a Christian church". The Church in Wales and the bench of bishops expressed their gratitude to Archbishop John,. in the wake of today's announcement. The Archbishop said: "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." Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here He added: "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. Article continues below "Thank you, and Christ give you joy and peace in believing." The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Rev'd Gregory Cameron, Senior Bishop of the Church in Wales, spoke on behalf of the Bench of Bishops in a statement about the Archbishop's retirement. He said: "As Archbishop Andrew announces his retirement today as Archbishop of Wales and his forthcoming retirement as Bishop of Bangor, the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales wish to express our heartfelt thanks for his service to the Church during his ministry. "Andy has dedicated thirty-six years of his life to ordained ministry in the Church in Wales, and has served with commitment and energy to proclaim the Christian Gospel and draw people to deeper faith in Jesus Christ. "He has given so much for the good of the Church in Wales. He now lays down his considerable responsibilities in the same spirit in which he has served for these decades. "We offer most sincere thanks, and our commitment to hold him and his family in prayer at this time and in the days ahead." The Chair of the Representative Body of the Church in Wales, Professor Medwin Hughes also shared his gratitude to Archbishop Andrew. He said: " As Archbishop Andrew retires from his duties, I wish to thank him on behalf of The Representative Body of the Church in Wales for his hard work, commitment and vision during his time as Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor. "The Archbishop has led the Church through a time of immense change and challenge. Throughout his time in post, has shown his deeply felt concern for the welfare, not just of the Church itself, but of our society and the world as a whole. "I know that everyone who has worked with The Archbishop during his ministry will have been touched by his pastoral care and his profound dedication to improving the life of the Church in Wales and of the wider community. Article continues below "As he now passes that work to other hands, I want to place on record my sincere gratitude for all he has achieved, together with my admiration for the integrity of his ministry to the people of Wales. All members of the Representative Body will continue to hold The Archbishop and his family in our prayers."
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Archbishop of Wales retires after Bangor cathedral behaviour failings
The Archbishop of Wales has announced his retirement from the role with immediate a statement issued on Friday evening, Andrew John confirmed he would also be retiring as Bishop of Bangor on 31 sudden retirement follows a turbulent period for his Bangor diocese, after the publication of the summaries of two reports into failures last summaries mentioned "a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred" and excessive alcohol consumption as well as governance and safeguarding weaknesses. The full reports have not been published, but an implementation group and oversight board were formed by the church to make improvements and implement calls were made in some quarters for the archbishop to resign, he offered his "most heartfelt apology to any members of the cathedral community who have been hurt or who feel I have let them down".There is no suggestion the archbishop has behaved inappropriately. When BBC-produced Newyddion S4C asked the church about serious incident reports they were told had been made to the Charity Commission, it was revealed six had been made in a a little over a year relating to charities associated with the diocese. The commission has now confirmed it has launched a regulatory compliance case into the priests within Bangor Cathedral have also called publicly for an independent inquiry into the cathedral and S4C has seen letters from other church members calling on church authorities to launch such an inquiry. Senedd member Sian Gwenllian, whose Arfon constituency includes Bangor, confirmed this week she had also written to the archbishop and other church leaders supporting those Tuesday, after a series of interview bids had been rejected, the archbishop was approached as he made his way to a meeting in Cardiff to discuss the situation in refused to answer any questions or make any comment on the situation at his diocese. After a lengthy meeting discussing the situation within the Bangor Diocese, the Representative Body, who are trustees of the Church in Wales, drafted and agreed upon a statement declaring they had no confidence in the leadership at the diocese of Bangor. It is understood the Archbishop of Wales attempted to amend the statement but the trustees refused that request. They did, however, give him time to discuss the implications of the statement with those close to Church in Wales did not wish to comment on Tuesday's Friday evening, the Church in Wales issued a statement thanking Mr John for his service. Recent events at Bangor diocese were not John said it had "been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years" and thanked "the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese."Senior Bishop for the Church in Wales Gregory Cameron said: "Andy has dedicated 36 years of his life to ordained ministry in the Church in Wales, and has served with commitment and energy to proclaim the Christian Gospel and draw people to deeper faith in Jesus Christ. "He has given so much for the good of the Church in Wales. "He now lays down his considerable responsibilities in the same spirit in which he has served for these decades."Chairman of the Body of Representatives Medwin Hughes said he wanted to "place on record my sincere gratitude for all he has achieved, together with my admiration for the integrity of his ministry to the people of Wales".He added: "All members of the Representative Body will continue to hold the archbishop and his family in our prayers."Mr John became Bishop of Bangor in 2008 and was elected Archbishop of Wales in December was the 14th person to hold the title.
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- Science
- South Wales Argus
Churches Count on Nature 2025 to take return in June
Running from June 7 to June 15, this annual event invites church communities to engage in 'citizen science' by recording the diverse plants and animals found in churchyards. Last year, more than 540 events were held, resulting in more than 17,000 observations and 1,700 different species documented. This year, Swifts will be a special focus. Edward Mayer from Swift Conservation stated, "Nothing, but nothing flies like a Swift. "This charismatic bird's presence at your Church shows everyone that the biodiversity there is in good hands!" The event encourages participants to confirm Swift nest sites, organise evening Swift events, and use the Swift-Mapper app to record nesting locations. The Most Reverend Andrew John, Archbishop of Wales, urges involvement, saying, "We all have a shared responsibility to look after our world and the living creatures on it." Churches Count on Nature 2025 is part of Love Your Burial Ground Week, promoting awareness and protection of British wildlife.
South Wales Argus
19-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Welsh bishops reaffirm opposition to assisted dying
As the bill reaches a crucial stage in the House of Commons, the bishops have republished their statement, calling for no limits on compassion. "This is an extremely difficult issue over which different people, including Christians, will have arrived at differing views with the best of intentions," the statement read. "Nonetheless, the protection of the most vulnerable people in our society from the risks inherent in this measure must be the paramount issue, and for that reason, we cannot in good conscience support the proposed legislation. "There is abundant evidence from those jurisdictions where this measure has been enacted that good intentions can swiftly lead to bad and unintended outcomes, and to the devaluing of all human life." The bishops also highlighted the importance of palliative care, saying: "Our Christian faith has always been rooted in the reality of pain and mortality, but also in the incalculable value of each human person, irrespective of their social standing, their access to resources, or their physical or mental ability. "In that spirit, shown to us in the person of Jesus, we give our heartfelt support to the extension of the best possible palliative care to all who require it, so that no limits are put on the compassion which we show as individuals and as a society." The statement was signed by the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, and six other bishops.
