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Dictionary

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Anglican

Anglicans form the family of Christians closely related to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Whilst tracing their inheritance back to Christ and the earliest Christians and to the ancient Roman Catholic church, the sixteenth century Reformation was a crucial moment for Anglicanism.

Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Episcopal

‘Episcopal’ refers to the role or ministry of a bishop. So an episcopal church is one in which oversight is entrusted to a bishop. Like many others, the Church in Wales is an episcopal church.

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Priest

‘Priest’ comes from the Greek word for ‘elder’. Priests in the Church in Wales are those authorised specifically to proclaim forgiveness of sins, preside at the Eucharist and bless God’s people, as well as other responsibilities.

Home News Church’s youngest ever bishop to be consecrated

Church’s youngest ever bishop to be consecrated

Provincial news Posted: 29 April 2024

History will be made next week when the youngest person ever to become a bishop in the Church in Wales will be consecrated.

David Morris, who turns 38 at the start of May, will be anointed and receive the symbols of the office of a bishop at a special service at Bangor Cathedral on May 11.

It follows his appointment in January as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bangor. David will also take the title of Bishop of Bardsey.

The consecration service will be led by the Archbishop of Wales with the other Welsh diocesan bishops and attended by more than 200 guests, representing churches and civic institutions across Wales. Bishops from the other Anglican churches in the UK will also be present.

During the service, David will be anointed with holy oil and presented with the symbols of office: a bishop’s episcopal ring, a pectoral cross, a mitre, a Bible and a pastoral staff (crozier). These will be brought to him, for presentation, by members of his family. The ring is a gift from his parents and will be brought by David’s mother, Hazel Morris. The cross is from his fiancé Marc Penny and the pastoral staff is a gift from Bishop David Yeoman, retired Assistant Bishop of Llandaff.

The address will be given by Canon Richard Lowndes, Formation Tutor at St Padarn’s Institute.

I'm looking forward with great joy and with a deep sense of gratitude for God's call in my life

A new anthem will be sung by the choir. Words from an ancient poem written by Meilyr Brydydd about the island of Bardsey, have been set to music by composer Simon Ogdon in the anthem, which is called Ynys Firain.

The Archbishop, Andrew John, says, “I am looking forward to consecrating David as a bishop and to working closely with him in the Diocese of Bangor. David will provide inspirational leadership and deep pastoral care to our congregations and the communities they serve. These are exciting times for the Church and I know David will play a hugely important role in taking the work forward. Please hold him in your prayers as he begins this new chapter in his ministry.”

David says, “The point of consecration will be a profound moment where fellow bishops will make me a bishop in accordance with the ancient tradition of laying on hands. The responsibility of the ministry being entrusted to me will be visible in the symbols of office, presented by members of my family. I'm looking forward to the occasion with great joy and with a deep sense of gratitude for God's call in my life.”

The Consecration service starts at 2pm.

Journey of Ministry

Originally from Cymmer in the Rhondda Valley, David Morris graduated in theology from the University of Wales, Bangor and trained for ministry at St Michael’s College, Llandaff, when he also completed a Master’s degree in theology. He was ordained as a priest in 2010 at Llandaff Cathedral and served his curacy in Merthyr Tydfil. Two years later, David was appointed parish priest of Grangetown in Cardiff, where he served for seven years, and was also Vocations Advisor for Llandaff Diocese. In 2019, he was appointed Director of Ordinands for Llandaff Diocese and Vicar in the East Vale Ministry Area, in the Vale of Glamorgan. After three years, David moved to the Diocese of Bangor as Diocesan Director of Ministry and was also made Residentiary Canon of Bangor Cathedral.

David became a Commander of the Order of St John in 2020 and has been actively involved with St John Ambulance Cymru as a chaplain since 2010; he was appointed Dean of the Priory for Wales in 2019 and a Trustee of the charity in 2020.