New Bishop of Monmouth to be chosen at Newport Cathedral

Previous bishops were Rt Rev Dominic Walker (left) and Dr Rowan Williams

Senior clerics are due to start selecting a new Bishop of Monmouth, in a process which could last three days.

The doors of Newport Cathedral will be locked as an electoral college, which includes all the bishops in Wales, cast their nominations and votes.

The election follows the retirement in June of Dominic Walker, who served as Bishop of Monmouth for 10 years.

The Church in Wales allows up to three days for a decision, otherwise the Bench of Bishops chooses a candidate.

Dr Rowan Williams was Bishop of Monmouth between 1991 and 2002 before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury.

The church's rules say the electoral college - made up of 47 people - may meet for up to three consecutive days.

Tuesday's meeting will begin with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, which is open to anyone.

Then, the college will meet in private and the cathedral will be locked.

The preferred candidate will need two thirds of the votes to be selected.

He will also need to meet key qualities listed on the Church in Wales' website. They include:

• Have a "life rooted in prayer....a man prepared to listen to God"

• Be "a servant leader"

• "Exercise strong pastoral care"

• Be "a leader who recognises and liberates the gifts of the people of God"

• "Help make the church a place where all ages will want to worship"

• Be "an effective teacher"

• Be "someone with listening skills, discernment and discretion"

• Be "an able administrator, competent with new technologies"

Once a decision is made, the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, will unlock the cathedral's west door and announce the name of the bishop-elect from the doorstep.

Then, the nominee will have up to 28 days to accept the position and will be confirmed by the archbishop in September.

Whoever takes up the role will become the 10th Bishop of Monmouth.