THE Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Cherry Vann, has acknowledged “deep-seated trauma” within the diocese of Bangor, telling its diocesan conference that “it would require everybody pulling together” to satisfy the challenges ahead.
In an address to the Bangor diocesan conference over the weekend, Archbishop Vann drew parallels along with her experience within 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, aside from three of his senior colleagues” — and subsequent retirement (News, 17/24 December 2021).
“It was a distinct trauma to the one that you just are facing here in Bangor, nevertheless 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 yr, nor did they know why. Some speculated, and rumours abounded. Some were offended, 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 way more deep-seated” than simply the disappearance of the bishop.
It was the identical within the diocese of Bangor: “The challenges are complex, deep-seated and long-standing, and they’ll take an extended time to unravel and cope with appropriately.” She asked for prayers for herself and people on the forefront of this work.
“It would require everybody pulling together and all of us, at the start, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus . . . being mindful of the challenges that have to be addressed,” she said.
She used the Biblical analogy of a tree that required pruning “in a positive sense” in an effort to grow to be fruitful. This was harder to use “to ourselves, our lives, our preferences, our prejudices. . . being pruned is an important a part of the life of religion — and it may possibly feel costly, painful and exposing.”
She concluded: “Whatever it looks and looks like, God is present and energetic. . . Be assured of my prayers as we work together to make sure 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 top 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 by which a “Canticle of Indignation” was sung in the course of the 11 a.m. choral eucharist (News, 12 September).
