The first female Bishop of Bangor, Rt Rev Dr Manon Ceridwen James, has been consecrated in a special service attended by hundreds in Newport.
Bishop Manon takes up the role 16 months on from a report into the scandal-hit Bangor Cathedral, which uncovered safeguarding failures, misbehaviour and financial irregularities.
Having become Cathedral Dean in October, she has been working to address the governance issues.
During the Episcopal Ordination service at St Woolos Cathedral in Newport on Saturday, Bishop Manon was anointed and presented with the symbols of the office: an episcopal ring, a pectoral cross, a mitre, a Bible, and a pastoral staff. Her husband read the Old Testament lesson and the sermon was preached by a friend from theological college.
Bishop Manon said: “I feel very privileged to be called to this ministry. I am also deeply grateful as I remember all those people, from my Sunday school teacher onwards, who have nurtured and encouraged me in faith and supported me throughout my life. It will be particularly special to be ordained in Newport Cathedral, where I served for a time as Canon Theologian, surrounded by family, friends and colleagues who mean so much to me.
“As I respond to this call, I hope it will also be an opportunity for people across the Diocese of Bangor, and beyond, to reflect on their own calling and on what God might be calling us to do together. I am excited by the opportunities we have to serve our communities and to share God's love with everyone.”
The service came between two important dates in the Church in Wales calendar: the date marking the scholars who translated prayer books and scriptures into Welsh, William Salusbury and Bishop William Morgan; and the fest of St Deiniol, founder of the Monastic School at Bangor Fawr from which the Diocese of Bangor derives its origin.
Bishop Manon will be installed at St Deiniol’s Cathedral, to be the 82nd Bishop of Bangor, on 19th September.