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Church in Wales calls for investigation of diocese

Gwyn Loader
Chief correspondent, Newyddion S4C
BBC Andrew John in a red shirt and black blazer with a dog collar, looking at the camera in front of an altar. He has grey hair and brown eyesBBC
Archbishop of Wales Andrew John announced his retirement on Friday after a turbulent period for the Bangor diocese

The Church in Wales has called for a series of reviews and investigations of Bangor diocese and cathedral.

The 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 reports.

The summaries mentioned "a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred", excessive alcohol consumption, as well as governance and safeguarding weaknesses at Bangor Cathedral.

While there is no suggestion the archbishop behaved inappropriately, the 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 allegation.

The 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.

An exterior view of Bangor Cathedral, it is a clear day and there are two people in the foreground of the picture, one walking towards the front door of the cathedral.
The summaries mentioned "a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred", heavy drinking, and governance and safeguarding failings at Bangor Cathedral

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.