Church In Wales Undertakes Mass Consultation

Over 1,000 Welsh church goers have made their voices heard on the future of the main episcopal denomination in Wales, as part of what the denomination describes as ‘a root and branch review’.

Church in Wales Review Group

Review group l-r: Richard Harries, Patricia Peattie and Charles Handy

The Church in Wales held a number of public meetings across the six Welsh dioceses during a consultation process which is intended to address ‘fundamental questions’ about the 92-year-old denomination.

An independent Review Group was commissioned by the Welsh bishops and the church’s Governing Body last year.

Made up of Lord Richard Harries, former Bishop of Oxford, it also includes Professor Charles Handy former professor at the London Business School; and Professor Patricia Peattie, former Chair of the Episcopal Church in Scotland’s Standing Committee.

The Review Group held separate meetings with senior clergy as well as bishops’ advisers, and ordinands and staff from Wales’ theological college.

In March they will also meet a delegation of young people from across the Church to hear their views.

During the public meetings, parishioners were asked what aspect of both their diocese and the Church they felt most positive about and what changes they would like to see to make its ministry more effective.

And they were asked how they would address challenges such as the predicted fall in clergy numbers and financial resources.

The Group is due to report back in the summer.

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said, “People have responded very well to this review and I am very grateful that so many took the trouble to attend the public meetings – the 200 or so who braved the worst storm of the year to come to Bangor Cathedral one afternoon in November deserve a medal!

“Lots of people spoke and expressed their views on a huge range of issues, under Lord Harries’ expert steering. The Group now has a mass of information to sift through and we are looking forward to receiving its report.

“The conversation has started and we must now all be open to the possibility of significant change in our structures, ministry, use of buildings and other resources if it is seen to be in the best interests of the church and its mission to the people and communities of Wales.”