THE Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Cherry Vann, has acknowledged “deep-seated trauma” in the diocese of Bangor, telling its diocesan conference that “it will require everybody pulling together” to meet the challenges ahead.
In an address to the Bangor diocesan conference over the weekend, Archbishop Vann drew parallels with her experience in the diocese of Monmouth, where she became diocesan Bishop in 2020. She had succeeded the Rt Revd Richard Pain, after his long absence — “for reasons no-one knew, apart from three of his senior colleagues” — and subsequent retirement (News, 17/24 December 2021).
“It was a different trauma to the one that you are facing here in Bangor, but it was a trauma nonetheless,” Archbishop Vann told the conference in Bangor Cathedral.
Most people “had little or no idea what had actually happened in that year, nor did they know why. Some speculated, and rumours abounded. Some were angry, others saddened, others still, indifferent.
“But what they were left with was a diocese with divided loyalties and a deep-seated lack of trust, between themselves, between churches and the senior team, between clergy and the Bench and RB [Representative Body].”
Archbishop Vann had, she said, uncovered “elements of a trauma that were much more deep-seated” than just the disappearance of the bishop.
It was the same in the diocese of Bangor: “The challenges are complex, deep-seated and long-standing, and they will take a long time to unravel and deal with appropriately.” She asked for prayers for herself and those at the forefront of this work.
“It will require everybody pulling together and all of us, first and foremost, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus . . . being mindful of the challenges that need to be addressed,” she said.
She used the Biblical analogy of a tree that required pruning “in a positive sense” in order to become fruitful. This was harder to apply “to ourselves, our lives, our preferences, our prejudices. . . being pruned is an essential part of the life of faith — and it can feel costly, painful and exposing.”
She concluded: “Whatever it looks and feels like, God is present and active. . . Be assured of my prayers as we work together to ensure a faithful, hopeful and fruitful future for this diocese of Bangor.”
Archbishop Vann had begun her address by paying tribute to the Rt Revd Andrew John, who stepped down in July after three-and-a-half years as Archbishop, and who retired as Bishop of Bangor at the end of August. He announced his resignation from the Primacy days after making an unqualified apology for his part in failings at Bangor Cathedral. Two reports had recorded concerns about “weak financial controls” and “inappropriate behaviours” (News, 27 June).
Last month, the Bangor Cathedral Choir were suspended by the Chapter after a protest in which a “Canticle of Indignation” was sung during the 11 a.m. choral eucharist (News, 12 September).
