A senior Church advisor who has built up strong links between the church and Welsh organizations will retire at the end of this month (July).
The Revd Canon Robin Morrison has become a familiar figure in business and political circles in Wales over the past decade in his role as Church and Society advisor for the Church in Wales. He has worked closely with the Welsh Government and a host of other national organisations on policy issues of economic and social development, the environment and business concerns.
The Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, John Davies, paid tribute to his “remarkable achievements” and “inexhaustible energy”.
Among his achievements, Robin spearheaded a series of joint symposia between the Church, the Welsh Government and other groups to drive policy relating to education, economy, communities and older people. He also set up a series of consultations with the Muslim Council of Wales to improve interfaith understanding in the wake of global terrorism.
He is a founder member of Telos – a group which looks at ‘what really matters’ in the beliefs values and behaviours of organizations in all sectors. He also oversaw the work of the Church’s rural life advisers, social responsibility officers, international affairs group and Chase – Church Action on Sustaining the Environment.
On top of that, he was chairman of the Institute of Directors in South Wales for six years, is a board member for Artes Mundi, which gives the largest visual arts prize in the UK, is a governor of the University of Wales Institute Cardiff and writes regularly on social and political issues for the media.
Bishop John said, “Robin has demonstrated inexhaustible energy and unrelenting commitment to the task during his years as advisor to the Bishops. As well as his engaging and persistent personality, his breadth and depth of knowledge have meant that the voice of the Church in Wales is not only heard but also respected as being one of those legitimately able to comment upon a wide variety of issues which affect people in society and upon which the essence of the Christian faith has a bearing. I have no hesitation in personally thanking Robin for his remarkable achievements and to wish him and his wife Linda well in a richly deserved retirement.”
Robin lives in Barry with his wife Linda. They have a daughter and two grandchildren. He will spend his retirement in consultancy work and pursuing his hobbies of writing, painting and sculpture.
He said, “This has been the best of jobs for me and I want to thank so many people in different networks for all their support and the pleasure of working with them. I remain committed to the belief that there is huge potential in all sectors for an even greater contribution to the transformation challenge in Wales for the benefit of the communities and organizations of Wales.
“It has been a privilege to work with the Archbishop and the Bishops of the Church in Wales and many other colleagues on the task of discovering the presence of God all around us and making the Gospel of Jesus Christ more real in our actions as well as our words. My successor has one of the best jobs in the world and I am sure people will welcome and support her as they have me.”
The Revd Carol Wardman will take over as Church and Society officer on August 1.
