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.

Deacon

‘Deacon’ comes the Greek word for ‘servant’. Deacons in the Church in Wales have special roles within worship such as proclaiming the gospel. Traditionally, deacons have had responsibility for social care. Deacons often go on to be ordained priest.

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’).

Ecumenical

The Christian Church is divided due to different interpretations of the faith and different religious practices. The ecumenical movement promotes dialogue and understanding between Christians and works for visible unity.

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 New Archdeacons appointed

New Archdeacons appointed

Provincial news Posted: 6 June 2023

The Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor is pleased to announce new appointments to significant roles within Bangor Diocese.

The Revd David Parry will be Archdeacon of Bangor and Canon Robert Townsend will be Archdeacon of Meirionnydd.

David has served as Vicar of Bro Celynnin Ministry Area in Conwy for the past seven years while Robert has been Ministry Area Leader and Vicar for Bro Seiriol, Anglesey, for the past four years.

The Archbishop, Andrew John, said, “I am delighted that David and Robert are joining the Bishop’s Council and have accepted my invitation to serve as Archdeacons. They bring a wealth of pastoral experience and extensive knowledge of this Diocese. I know they will serve with colleagues energetically and wisely.”

Archdeacon of Bangor

Although Scottish born, David Parry grew up in Singapore and England. He worked in mental health and rural development before post-graduate social work study. Having become a Christian, David took a ‘year out’ from local authority Child Protection to volunteer as a parish evangelist with Derby City Mission and planted a Chinese church. The call to ordination meant that instead of resuming his social work career David moved to Bristol, training at Trinity College then serving as curate in a housing estate ecumenical partnership.

While vicar in two Liverpool parishes, from 1997 to 2016, David undertook major church building projects, was an honorary Deaf chaplain, Cathedral Canon, Area Dean and (for 11 years) the Director of Ordinands. More lay and ordained vocations were encouraged by the team he developed, including young, disabled, ethnic minority and working-class candidates.

Appointed as Vicar for the creation of Bro Celynnin Ministry Area, David also became Conwy Town’s first new vicar in 30 years. Bro Celynnin sustained community life in the villages and towns during the Pandemic but also established a food poverty project and online ministry which have continued ever since. Creative use of ancient church buildings, art, music and the landscape has allowed ‘Fresh Expressions’ of worship, visitor welcome and parish ministry to flourish.

David is married to Eryl, a Pioneer Priest and ‘Welsh Scouser.’ They have two adult daughters, one of whom lives in Zambia. David is a runner and supports Everton FC (“through thick and thin – mostly thin!”)

David said, “I was ‘gobsmacked’ by this invitation, after seven such happy years in the Conwy Valley. However, it will be a privilege to work more closely with and pray for the people of our Ministry Areas, diocesan colleagues and Archbishop Andrew. I am confident that the redeeming love of Jesus Christ is the hope that can be shared in every community we serve and every season of our lives.”

David’s last Sunday in Bro Celynnin will be 13 August. He will be installed as Archdeacon in September.

Archdeacon of Meirionnydd

Canon Robert Townsend, who is originally from Spalding in Lincolnshire, came to university in Bangor in 1986 to study German. He trained for ordination in Cardiff and was ordained Deacon in Bangor Cathedral in 1993. He has spent the majority of his ministry in the Diocese of Bangor, where he has also served as Director of Education and Director of Communications. He is a fluent Welsh speaker.

Robert will have care of the Archdeaconry and Chair the Synod of Meirionnydd, which stretches from Llanidloes in Mid-Wales, along the Cambrian Coast and up to Blaenau Ffestiniog as well as the Llŷn Peninsula. The Archdeaconry includes the coastline of Llwybr Cadfan, the coastal pilgrimage route from Tywyn to Aberdaron and Bardsey Island, which a new project in the Diocese of Bangor is reviving.

Robert will be licensed as Archdeacon at the end of July and installed at a service in Bangor Cathedral in September.

He says, "I am humbled to be returning to serve in the Archdeaconry where my ordained ministry began in Dolgellau. I am looking forward to celebrating our Christian faith in the Archdeaconry, learning about the communities and Ministry Areas, as well as supporting them in their mission to worship God, grow the Church and love the world.”

Away from church life, Robert tries to keep fit. He and his wife, Kath, also enjoy being part of Ysgol Glanaethwy, a choir based in Bangor. When they moved to Beaumaris in 2019, Robert volunteered with the RNLI and has trained as a member of the lifeboat crew there. He also supports Lincoln City, the football club which his father took him to watch as a child.

It is hoped that Robert and his family will move to live in the Archdeaconry of Meirionnydd in the autumn.