Faith groups backing more Welsh assembly powers

Religious groups have voiced "frustration" at a lack of campaigning for the devolution of extra powers to the National Assembly for Wales.

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said more powers would lead to a "vast improvement" in the governance of Wales.

Other church leaders said devolution had been a success but the debate on going further was "limited".

Dr Morgan spoke at a meeting of the assembly's Cross Party Group on Faith.

The meeting was discussing the question "What's devolution ever done for faith?"

He told the meeting that there was no doubt that devolved government and the assembly had resulted in far greater engagement with faith communities.

He said devolution had made it easier to access the decision-making process, with a greater specific focus on Welsh affairs.

He also stressed the importance of a multi-faith approach to their relationship with government, which had led to "a common purpose".

Dr Morgan argued that additional powers after the referendum in March would create a "stable, clear, comprehensive and transparent" system.

Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West and chair of the group, said: "I think there was some frustration - there was clear frustration on the side of the Archbishop - that the Yes Campaign wasn't fully up and running, and we'll just have to wait and see how things develop.

"But clearly the education process, whether you're in favour of more powers or against more powers - needs to take place very quickly."