New Archbishop of Wales to be chosen amid cathedral concerns

Andrew John retired with immediate effect as Archbishop of Wales on 27 June and will retire as Bishop of Bangor at the end of August

The process to elect a new Archbishop of Wales has begun, after a turbulent period for the Church in Wales.

Former Archbishop of Wales Andrew John announced his decision to retire with immediate effect in June following two report summaries highlighting safeguarding concerns and misbehaviour at Bangor Cathedral.

His successor, who will become the 15th person to hold the title, will be chosen from the serving Welsh diocesan bishops.

The Electoral College are meeting at St Pierre Church and Hotel in Chepstow, with the process taking up to three days.

Mr John announced his decision to retire from the role with immediate effect on 27 June, as well as confirming he would also be retiring as Bishop of Bangor on 31 August.

It followed the publication of summaries of two reports earlier this year which mentioned "a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred".

The reports also found excessive alcohol consumption as well as governance and safeguarding weaknesses at Bangor Cathedral.

Shortly after there were calls for Mr John, who was elected Archbishop of Wales in December 2021, to resign.

The full reports have not been published.

Meanwhile The Church in Wales said it had created an implementation group to ensure the issues raised in the reports are addressed.

Andrew John's successor will become the 15th person to hold the title

Earlier this year, the former Archbishop of Wales admitted he was aware of a safeguarding incident involving a drunken sexual assault in his diocese, despite previously denying knowledge of "that sort of behaviour".

After initially denying any awareness of it in an interview with BBC Radio Cymru's Bwrw Golwg, a Church in Wales spokesperson confirmed the matter had been reported to Mr John but said he had no licence to officiate, which Mr John said his comments referred to.

There is no suggestion that Mr John behaved inappropriately.

In June two priests within Bangor Cathedral publicly called for an independent inquiry into the cathedral and diocese

How will a new archbishop be elected?

The meeting of the Electoral College will begin with Holy Communion at St Peter's Church in Chepstow, which is on the St Pierre estate, before college members begin confidential discussions.

The successor will be chosen from the serving Welsh diocesan bishops:

• The Bishop of St Asaph, Gregory Cameron

• The Bishop of Monmouth, Cherry Vann

• The Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, John Lomas

• The Bishop of Llandaff, Mary Stallard

• The Bishop of St Davids, Dorrien Davies

To make the decision, each of the six dioceses elects three clerics onto the college as well as three lay people, who are members of the religious community but not part of the clergy.

The current bishops are also members.

After a discussion and a period of reflection, the president will call for nominations and the bishops nominated must then withdraw from the discussion.

A nominee must achieve two thirds of the votes of the college in order to be elected as archbishop. If, after a vote is taken, no candidate receives the necessary votes the process begins again with fresh nominations.

Once the archbishop is elected, they will be enthroned in his or her home cathedral at a later date.