Dictionary

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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.

Eucharist

‘Eucharist’ comes from the Greek word for ‘thanksgiving’. At the Eucharist the Church remembers Jesus’ last supper where he gave bread and wine to be his body and blood, a sign of his saving love. See also Holy Communion.

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.

Home News Episcopal services announced

Episcopal services announced

Provincial news Posted: 8 February 2022

Archbishop Andrew John at Bangor Cathedral

Two new bishops will be consecrated and welcomed by their dioceses and the Archbishop of Wales enthroned in a series of significant Church in Wales services over the coming months.

In February, two newly appointed bishops will be consecrated at the same service. The Bishop of Swansea and Brecon Diocese, John Lomas, and the Assistant Bishop in Bangor Diocese, Mary Stallard, will be consecrated at Bangor Cathedral, which is the seat of the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John.

The service will take place on February 26 at 2.30pm. During the service, which will be attended by representatives from each of the two dioceses, the new bishops will be anointed with holy oil and presented with the symbols of office: a bishop’s episcopal ring, a pectoral cross and mitre, as well as a Bible and a pastoral staff.

Following the consecration service, Bishop Mary (left) will be welcomed to her new role in Bangor Diocese with a special celebration service on St David’s Day, March 1, at 2.30pm. She will be greeted by people from across Bangor Diocese and will co-preside with the Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor, Andrew John, at a celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Meanwhile, Bishop John (right) will be enthroned as the 10th Bishop of Swansea and Brecon at Brecon Cathedral, which is the seat of the Diocese, on March 5. He will be installed in the Bishop’s chair and also welcomed by representatives from across Swansea and Brecon Diocese. The service begins at 2pm.

At the end of April, the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, will be enthroned at Bangor Cathedral. Andrew, who is also Bishop of Bangor, was elected as the 14th Archbishop of Wales in December. During the service the Archbishop will be placed in the Archiepiscopal chair. A cross-section of people from the church and wider Welsh society are expected to attend the service which takes place on April 30 at 2.30pm.

Due to limited space, entry to the consecration service and the enthronement services will be by ticket only. The welcome service for Bishop Mary will not be ticketed. The number of tickets made available will be in line with Welsh Government Covid guidance and Church in Wales risk assessments. However, it is hoped that all the services will be live-streamed on social media for those who cannot attend.

Archbishop Andrew said, “This is an exciting time for the Church in Wales as we start the year with two new bishops and are able to open our churches and welcome guests to join us for these significant services. Thanks to the leaps and bounds we have taken in digital technology since the start of the pandemic we are now also hoping to broadcast these services live so everyone who wants to tune in and celebrate with us is able to do so. I hope many of you will do that, if possible, and will join in our prayers for Bishop John and Bishop Mary as they begin their new ministries.”

More details about the services, including the live-stream links, will follow.