Six serious incidents relating to St Deiniol’s Cathedral, Bangor, have been reported to the Charity Commission since 2024. Four regard cultural issues, whilst two regard financial management. The concerns have prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability within the historic cathedral.
Last year, Siôn Rhys Evans, who served as both the Cathedral’s Sub-Dean, and Bangor’s Diocesan Secretary, was placed on “gardening leave”. Congregants were informed of this at a Sunday service, where no further thanks for his work, nor explanation for his departure was given.
Nation.Cymru now report that under his management, £418,000 of Diocesan funding – rather than Cathedral funding – was spent without proper authorisation on new furnishings, including pews, an altar, choir stalls, and credence tables for communion.
Around £20,000 was spent on one trip to Dublin and two trips to Rome. The first Rome visit was described as a “recce” for then Sub-Dean Siôn Rhys Evans and colleagues, while the second included a larger group. Expenses covering air fares, accommodation, meals and alcoholic drinks were charged to a Diocesan credit card.
The Archbishop of Wales, Most Rev Andrew John, is also Bishop of Bangor, and lead trustee for the Diocesan charity.
In February 2025, he commissioned a report led by safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight, which exposed a “drinking culture” following services, and banter among staff that at times bordered on humiliation. It also found that staff complaints were often shared via WhatsApp chats.
Despite these concerns, the review also identified “key strengths,” including “basic awareness” of safeguarding, with all clergy and several lay members having completed safeguarding training. The report also noted positive developments in recent years, such as the increased integration of the Welsh language into cathedral services and mental health benefits offered by the church community choir.
Following the culture report, a representative told Premier News that the Church would allow time for reflection on the issues raised and declined further comment.
Regarding the financial matters, the denomination now states: “This formed part of a Serious Incident Report made by the Archbishop of Wales to the Charity Commission on July 17th 2024, relating to Bangor Diocesan Board of Finance.
“The report noted that the finances for these Choir visits had come from the Diocesan funds rather than from the Cathedral’s.
“He then undertook a series of actions to correct the issues which he had reported, and, after confirming these with the Charity Commission (March 31 2025), the Serious Incident was then closed by them. The Dean and Chapter have agreed to pay back funds spent by the Diocese which should have been borne by them.”