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The Guardian
13 hours ago
- The Guardian
Archbishop of Wales stands down after Bangor cathedral scandal
The archbishop of Wales has stepped down after a culture of excessive drinking, sexual promiscuity, bullying, bad language and inappropriate banter at Bangor cathedral was revealed. Andy John, who is also the bishop of Bangor, released a statement on Friday evening after calls for his resignation gathered pace. He said he was announcing his 'immediate retirement today as archbishop of Wales', adding: 'I also intend to retire as bishop of Bangor on 31 August'. Neither his statement nor those from senior colleagues in the Church in Wales made any reference to the scandal that has engulfed Bangor cathedral over recent years. Earlier this week, John issued an 'unreserved and unequivocal' personal apology regarding 'the situation', saying he took full responsibility for failings under his leadership. 'I repent and offer no excuses nor justifications,' he said. Calls for John to resign and for an independent inquiry into the cathedral's culture, the behaviour of clergy, staff and volunteers, and alleged financial mismanagement had been mounting. They came after a review by ThirtyOne: Eight, a Christian safeguarding agency, heard accounts of excessive alcohol consumption, inappropriate language and humiliating banter and a 'culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred, and to some … promiscuity was acceptable'. Homophobic comments and an 'unhappy working environment' were also reported. A separate report from a cathedral 'visitation' team recommended the appointment of 'strong leadership' to 'steady the ship', improved scrutiny of governance and finances, and discouraging unkind and inappropriate private communications. According to Tim Wyatt, who writes The Critical Friend, a newsletter on the Anglican church, and who has closely followed events at Bangor, the reports 'pretty much confirmed there was a lot of drinking, sleeping around, backbiting, bullying – basically a whole culture that was completely out of kilter with what a place of Christian worship is supposed to be about'. In addition, six 'serious incident reports' have been sent to the Charity Commission in the past 18 months, four relating to safeguarding and two relating to financial matters. Financial irregularities reportedly include more than £400,000 being spent on new furnishings for the cathedral with inadequate consultation, and £20,000 spent on trips to Rome and Dublin for senior staff. A spokesperson for the Charity Commission said: 'We have opened a regulatory compliance case to assess a number of concerns that have been raised related to Bangor cathedral and diocese, including matters reported directly to us by the charities. We are actively examining these matters with the charities' trustees to determine our next steps. 'As regulator, if we find evidence of wrongdoing, we take robust action using the powers available to us.' Many of the concerns about the cathedral centre on a period when Siôn Rhys Evans was its acting dean – in effect chief executive – while continuing in post as secretary of the Bangor diocese. Both posts are senior full-time jobs, and it is unprecedented for one person to manage both sets of responsibilities and workloads. In another highly unusual move, Rhys Evans – who was seen as a protege of John – was made acting dean only a few years after being ordained as a priest. To be elevated so quickly to a high-profile job was an 'astounding over-promotion', according to Wyatt. In February 2024, Rhys Evans stood back from both roles without explanation. He was absent from work for 10 months, after which he quietly left to take up a new post as dean of a Westminster theological college in Cambridge. On Friday, Westminster college confirmed that Rhys Evans' probationary period was 'unsuccessful' and he had left his job in mid-May. The Guardian has been unable to contact him. Last month, two members of the cathedral's college of priests, Rev Dr John Prysor-Jones and the Very Rev Prof Gordon McPhate, called for an independent inquiry into events in Bangor. 'The reputational damage to the cathedral, the diocese, and the Church in Wales is considerable,' they said in a letter to the Church Times. Ruth Jones, the Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, said the church must give a full explanation to members and the public. '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,' she told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.
The Guardian
18 hours ago
- The Guardian
Archbishop of Wales stands down over Bangor cathedral scandal
The archbishop of Wales has stepped down after a culture of excessive drinking, sexual promiscuity, bullying, bad language and inappropriate banter at Bangor cathedral was revealed. Andy John, who is also the bishop of Bangor, released a statement on Friday evening after calls for his resignation gathered pace. He said he was announcing his 'immediate retirement today as archbishop of Wales. I also intend to retire as bishop of Bangor on 31 August'. Neither his statement nor those from senior colleagues in the Church in Wales made any reference to the scandal that has engulfed Bangor cathedral over recent years. Earlier this week, John issued an 'unreserved and unequivocal' personal apology regarding 'the situation', saying he took full responsibility for failings under his leadership. 'I repent and offer no excuses nor justifications,' he said. Calls for John to resign and for an independent inquiry into the cathedral's culture, the behaviour of clergy, staff and volunteers, and alleged financial mismanagement had been mounting. They came after a review by ThirtyOne: Eight, a Christian safeguarding agency, heard accounts of excessive alcohol consumption, inappropriate language and humiliating banter and a 'culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred, and to some … promiscuity was acceptable'. Homophobic comments and an 'unhappy working environment' were also reported. A separate report from a cathedral 'visitation' team recommended the appointment of 'strong leadership' to 'steady the ship', improved scrutiny of governance and finances, and discouraging unkind and inappropriate private communications. According to Tim Wyatt, who writes The Critical Friend, a newsletter on the Anglican church, and who has closely followed events at Bangor, the reports 'pretty much confirmed there was a lot of drinking, sleeping around, backbiting, bullying – basically a whole culture that was completely out of kilter with what a place of Christian worship is supposed to be about'. In addition, six 'serious incident reports' have been sent to the Charity Commission in the past 18 months, four relating to safeguarding and two relating to financial matters. Financial irregularities reportedly include more than £400,000 being spent on new furnishings for the cathedral with inadequate consultation, and £20,000 spent on trips to Rome and Dublin for senior staff. A spokesperson for the Charity Commission said: 'We have opened a regulatory compliance case to assess a number of concerns that have been raised related to Bangor cathedral and diocese, including matters reported directly to us by the charities. We are actively examining these matters with the charities' trustees to determine our next steps. 'As regulator, if we find evidence of wrongdoing, we take robust action using the powers available to us.' Many of the concerns about the cathedral centre on a period when Siôn Rhys Evans was its acting dean – in effect chief executive – while continuing in post as secretary of the Bangor diocese. Both posts are senior full-time jobs, and it is unprecedented for one person to manage both sets of responsibilities and workload. In another highly unusual move, Rhys Evans – who was seen as a protege of John – was made acting dean only a few years after being ordained as a priest. To be elevated so quickly to a high-profile job was an 'astounding over-promotion', according to Wyatt. In February 2024, Rhys Evans stood back from both roles without explanation. He was absent from work for 10 months, after which he quietly left to take up a new post as dean of a Westminster theological college in Cambridge. On Friday, Westminster college confirmed that Rhys Evans' probationary period was 'unsuccessful' and he had left his job in mid-May. The Guardian has been unable to contact Rhys Evans. Last month, two members of the cathedral's college of priests, Rev Dr John Prysor-Jones and the Very Rev Prof Gordon McPhate, called for an independent inquiry into events in Bangor. 'The reputational damage to the cathedral, the diocese, and the Church in Wales is considerable,' they said in a letter to the Church Times. John Pockett, a member of the Church in Wales for almost 70 years, called for John to consider his position as its head. 'He is the archbishop, he is the leader and it has happened at his cathedral,' he told the BBC. Ruth Jones, the Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, said the church must give a full explanation to members and the public. '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,' she told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Calls for Archbishop to resign over safeguarding reports
There are calls for the Archbishop of Wales to resign after two critical reports highlighted safeguarding concerns and misbehaviour at a north Wales cathedral. The report included complaints about a "culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred", inappropriate language being used and alcohol consumed excessively. The Church in Wales acknowledged safeguarding weaknesses, management practices lacking in rigour and transparency, and misconduct relating to alcohol use and sexual behaviour at Bangor Cathedral. The Most Reverend Andrew John offered his "most heartfelt apology to any members of the cathedral community who have been hurt or who feel I have let them down". The Church in Wales said it had created an implementation group to ensure the issues are addressed. The full reports have not been published, but summaries were posted on the Church of Wales' website. Since the publication of the summaries, there is dismay in some quarters about a perceived lack of detail and candour into the church's response. Church report into inappropriate behaviour claims Safeguarding investigation launched at cathedral Bishop Andy John elected Archbishop of Wales Despite repeated requests for an interview with Rev Andrew John, who is both Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor, BBC-produced Newyddion S4C were told the church believe the cathedral's community should be allowed to "reflect on the reports and statement without additional commentary". John Pockett, a member of the Church in Wales for almost 70 years and previously Cathedral Steward and Intercessions leader at Llandaff Cathedral, called for the Archbishop of Wales to consider his position as head of the Church in Wales. "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." He added there was "great concern about the future of the church across the country" and "about the lack of honesty, openness and transparency". "We have a right to know what went on and we have a right to expect better," he said. The Church in Wales also said an oversight board had been appointed, to scrutinise the work of the implementation group and support a new dean, who has yet to be appointed. Ruth Jones, Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, who chairs a Westminster parliamentary group on safeguarding in faith communities, has called on the church to offer a full explanation to members and the public. "I am concerned - it's more what the reports don't say because they are quite short," she said. "They indicate there have been issues, but we don't know what the issues are so what are the solutions? "I would urge [the Archbishop] to come forward and speak out about what the issues have been and how they're putting them right so everybody visiting Bangor Cathedral, whether they're visiting for the day or have been there 50 years, can feel safe in that environment." Professor Sir Malcolm Evans was a member of the Statutory Panel of the Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales (IICSA inquiry) which investigated child sexual abuse in churches, schools, custodial institutions, political parties, religious groups, and children's homes, and made a series of recommendations. Whilst child abuse is not mentioned at Bangor Cathedral, Sir Malcolm said he was concerned. He said it was "in everyone's interest to have maximum transparency" and that it was "disappointing" they had published summaries rather than the full reports. "One of [IICSA's] key recommendations was that audits should take place and that they should be public." He said IICSA had praised several aspects of the Church in Wales's work at a national level, but said it was "distressing" these practices and policies at a national level do not seem to have been implemented at Bangor Cathedral. "These are the things that genuinely and really keep people safe over time. "It seems on the face of it that something seriously has gone wrong in translating what the policies of the Church in Wales actually are into the practice on the ground." The Church in Wales accepted the IICSA report recommendations at the time stating it had a national online safeguarding case management and record keeping system and that relevant staff would be trained in accordance with their procedural guidance. In relation to Bangor Cathedral, it said that the formation of an implementation group and oversight board demonstrated the church's determination to follow the IICSA report's guidance and upholding the highest standards in relation to safeguarding, governance and behaviour. The chair of the Chapter of Bangor Cathedral, the Ven David Parry, said it was committed to taking the recommendations forward as matters of urgency, adding: "Significant changes are already under way. "We recognise that it will take time to heal some relationships and build trust." In a statement, the Rev Andrew John said the failings can only cause the "deepest sorrow" to all who take part in, and who care about, the church. He said: "It is because of my concern about the issues which had been reported to me that I requested the visitation report and the safeguarding review. "Those reports contain much that gives us cause for concern, they also, through the recommendations, identify a way forward by which those matters can be resolved." Abuse reported to church 17 years before police told Church at precarious moment after Welby resignation Welby formally relinquishes Archbishop role
