Archbishop Barry-Morgan
The Bishops of the Church in Wales are holding open meetings across Wales this month and next (Jan and Feb) to consult on a code for ordaining women as bishops.
As part of legislation to ordain women bishops, passed by the Church in September, the Bishops have to draw up a Code of Practice to ensure all members of the Church, including those with conscientious objections to the decision, continued to feel accepted and valued in it.
Open meetings in each of the six Welsh dioceses are now being held for members to have their say on what provisions that code should include. The meetings will be followed by a discussion at the Church’s Governing Body meeting in April.
The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said, “While we, as bishops, welcome the decision that women can now be ordained as bishops in Wales, we recognise that there are some people who do not. We want to make sure that adequate provision is made for them so that they will still feel valued and accepted in the Church and will continue to worship and minister alongside us. We have been entrusted to draw up a Code of Practice within a year of the legislation being passed and we are keen to consult as widely as possible with church members in order to reflect their views as best we can.”
The deadline for written submissions has now passed but everyone is welcome to attend and contribute to the open meetings. They will be take place as follows:
Llandaff Diocese
January 22, 7.30pm: St Catherine’s Church Hall, Pontypridd
Bangor Diocese
January 22, 7pm: Bangor Cathedral
St Davids Diocese
January 28, 7pm: Holy Trinity Church hall, Aberaeron
January 29, 7pm: Peniel School, Carmarthen
January 30, 7pm: St Mary’s Church, Haverfordwest
St Asaph Diocese
February 17, 7pm: St Peter’s Church, Holywell
February 20, 7pm: St John’s Church, Pool Quay
Monmouth Diocese
February 20, 7.30pm: Newport Cathedral
Swansea & Brecon Diocese
February 4, 7pm, Brecon Cathedral
