Latest news with #Bangor
The Guardian
5 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.
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.
The Guardian
11 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.
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.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- The Independent
The British seaside spots to avoid this summer break
Consumer champion Which? surveyed 3,872 members to compile a comprehensive rating of the best and worst coastal destinations in the UK. Bamburgh in Northumberland claimed the top spot for the fifth consecutive year, highly praised for its beach, scenery, and peacefulness. Other highly-rated seaside towns included Beer in Devon, Portmeirion in Wales, and Sidmouth in Devon, each noted for unique attractions and appeal. Bognor Regis was ranked towards the bottom of the table, criticised by reviewers as a 'run-down seaside town' with poor entertainment. Bangor in Gwynedd was also poorly rated due to social deprivation and lack of investment, while popular destinations like Brighton and Margate surprisingly failed to ignite enthusiasm.
