Latest news with #BangorDiocese
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Church in Wales calls for investigation of Bangor diocese
The Church in Wales has called for a series of reviews and investigations of Bangor diocese and Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, announced he was retiring with immediate effect on Friday following a turbulent period for the Bangor diocese after the publication of the summaries of two critical summaries mentioned "a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred", excessive alcohol consumption, as well as governance and safeguarding weaknesses at Bangor Church's representative body said there must be a "change in leadership, procedures and governance in the Diocese of Bangor". BBC-produced Newyddion S4C was told the former Archbishop attempted to amend the statement, but was rejected. The Church did not wish to respond to that representative body of the Church of Wales said it was concerned about "revelations of safeguarding failures, blurred boundaries, inappropriate conduct, weak control environment and lack of transparency in management at Bangor Cathedral" which are described as "deeply troubling".It said it "urged the [Bangor] Diocese and Cathedral to act swiftly and transparently to restore trust and ensure a safe, accountable environment for all".It then recommended an independent financial audit of three charities connected to the Bangor Diocese and Cathedral, a cultural audit of the Church in Wales and an external investigation into the behaviour, culture and activities of the cathedral choir with due attention given to the issues identified in the reports relating to the choir. It also asked that trustees of charities related to the diocese and cathedral at Bangor commit to "fully engage" to address the issues identified within the reports. The board recommended that a taskforce be created to "create a sustainable infrastructure for the future. The taskforce members are to be given full access to information and be allowed to attend board and management meetings".It also said senior leaders of the diocese, the Diocesan board of finance and the cathedral chapter should agree to reflect on the "incidents that have led the Diocese to this situation".The trustees said the future funding for the Diocese of Bangor and its Cathedral are "entirely dependent on the Church's representative body satisfying itself that appropriate management structures and financial and administrative procedures are in place to demonstrate effective governance."A safeguarding audit of all Cathedrals in Wales is also being commissioned by the church's representative body to ensure appropriate procedures and protocols related to safeguarding are being followed.
BBC News
27-06-2025
- 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.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bangor Cathedral has spending suspended over debts
A cathedral can no longer spend money after hundreds of thousands of pounds in debts were Cathedral in Gwynedd has had its spending suspended after furniture worth £418,000 was part-funded by the diocese and about £20,000 was spent on three trips abroad - two to Rome and one to Dublin - sources close to the cathedral told BBC-produced Newyddion comes after the publication of two critical report summaries earlier this month which outlined concerns relating to safeguarding, behaviour and financial management at the church. A cathedral spokesperson said it had agreed to repay the cost of the trips and an "independent review" last year found no financial inconsistencies. The debts are to the Bangor Diocese, which is a separate charity. The trips were allegedly paid for by the diocese, despite mainly involving cathedral staff, with the second Rome visit characterised by its is said to have involved "an overnight stay in the Radisson at Manchester Airport before an early flight, followed by accommodation in four-star hotels in Rome, plus dinner and taxis throughout".It was also alleged that "most of the participants on the second and third trips did not contribute towards the cost".The cathedral acknowledged there was inadequate consultation and information regarding the expenditure on furniture and that the Dean and Chapter of Bangor Cathedral had agreed to repay the costs of the trips also said the Church in Wales centrally was helping rectify issues with financial record-keeping and the debt would be repaid by next year. The cathedral said, while spending was suspended, it was continuing with the process of appointing a new dean.
