THE election process for the Bishop of Bangor, which had been scheduled to start next week, will not proceed for the time being, the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Cherry Vann, has announced in revised proposals circulated on Thursday.
The Electoral College had been scheduled to meet in Llandudno from 25 to 27 November to appoint the successor to the Bishop of Bangor, the Rt Revd Andrew John. He retired as Bishop of Bangor at the end of August, having retired with immediate effect as Archbishop of Wales in late June, after reports of shortcomings at Bangor Cathedral which included “weak financial control” and “inappropriate behaviours” (News, 4 July).
An advertisement for the vacancy had given a closing date for expressions of interest as noon on Friday 3 October, and a meeting of the college had been announced, to start on or before 29 October. Recent colleges had asked that several preliminary steps be taken before such a meeting, including a public advertisement in the Church Times, additional screening, and preliminary safeguarding screening of potential nominees.
The Archbishop reported in her letter to the Church in Wales that members of the electoral college had met twice in online meetings, and that diocesan and provincial profile documents had been produced. Several names had been put forward, and each had been contacted to invite them to allow their names to be considered. Some had confirmed that, and the electors had considered the information that they had provided.
She expressed her gratitude for that, but wrote: “However, carefully considering the challenges facing the diocese at this time (none of which were clearly identified in the diocesan profile) the college did not feel able to progress with the shortlisting of candidates.
“The college also decided there was insufficient time to repeat the advertising process and to allow time for references to be taken up and safeguarding checks undertaken before the end of November, when the Electoral College was due to meet for the election. The college therefore reported this to the standing committee of the Governing Body (GB) for guidance on next steps.
“My own view is that whilst we could explore other ways forward, the immediate need is for an experienced Bishop to be invited, on an interim basis, to come to Bangor for a period of one to two years, providing leadership and stability and working with you to strengthen leadership, finance, governance and management.
“Those who were at the diocesan conference will have heard that there are some tough financial and organisational challenges to face.”
The Governing Body would need to carry a motion that formally authorised that course of action: a meeting at which there would be further discussion with the electors, and a look at potential candidates. That meeting is scheduled for 25 November.
In a letter to members of the Governing Body outlining the changes, Archbishop Vann wrote: “The diocese of Bangor needs the whole family of the Church in Wales to support it as it navigates a time of change.”
