The Church in Wales has announced that one of the first women to become a priest in Wales, Rt Rev Mary Stallard, will be the next Bishop of Llandaff.

Bishop Mary, who currently serves as the Assistant Bishop in Bangor, was elected by the Electoral College of the Church in Wales on the second day of its meeting at Llandaff Cathedral on Thursday.

The announcement was made at the west door of the Cathedral by the Archbishop of Wales, Most Rev Andrew John, after Bishop Mary secured the necessary two-thirds majority vote.

Archbishop Andrew praised Bishop Mary for her service to the Diocese of Bangor and expressed excitement for her to bring her talents to the Diocese of Llandaff.

He said: “Bishop Mary has served the Diocese of Bangor with enormous energy, faithfulness and joy. It is a huge privilege for us now to be able to pass her to the Diocese of Llandaff where we know she will bring all of the gifts that she has shown us. We are so delighted for her.”

Bishop Mary said: “It is a real privilege to receive this new call which I will do my very best to live up to faithfully.”

Bishop Mary, who is originally from Birmingham, grew up in a vicarage and has a background in theology, teaching, and ministry. She was among the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church in Wales in 1997 and has served in various roles throughout her career, including as a canon Residentiary at St Asaph Cathedral, Bishop’s Chaplain, and Diocesan Director of Ordinands.

Her election will be formally confirmed at a Sacred Synod service in April and she will be enthroned as the 73rd Bishop of Llandaff at Llandaff Cathedral shortly afterwards.

The Llandaff Diocese represents almost half the population of Wales, including most of Cardiff, the South Wales valleys, and the Vale of Glamorgan.