Latest news with #ArchbishopRetirement
Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Telegraph
Archbishop of Wales retires after ‘sex' scandal in his cathedral
The Archbishop of Wales has announced his retirement after a critical report raised complaints about alcohol use and sexual behaviour at his diocese. In a statement issued on Friday evening, Andrew John confirmed he would be stepping down with immediate effect. He will also retire as Bishop of Bangor on Aug 31. A safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral identified 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred' and 'promiscuity was acceptable'. There is no suggestion the Archbishop behaved inappropriately. 'Inappropriate language and innuendoes' Mr John commissioned two reports into the North Wales cathedral in October last year. A summary of a report shared on the Church in Wales' website said there were also reports of 'inappropriate language, rude jokes and innuendoes in the choir that left some feeling unsafe and marginalised'. Inappropriate language was also used in front of younger members of the choir and at times caused 'humiliation to some', the report's compilers were told. Other issues raised included the presence of hurtful gossip, a poor safeguarding approach and weak financial controls. Announcing his retirement, Mr John said: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. 'I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire.' After the publication of a summary into the reports earlier this year, the archbishop said: 'I acknowledge that these findings are hard to hear – but they must be faced if we are to move forward with integrity.' 'I have begun reflecting on what I must learn from this process – not only as a leader, but as a fellow pilgrim,' he added. 'While this has been a sobering time, it also offers us opportunity for change. It will mean hard work, but it can also bring healing, and we do not do this alone.' Mr John became Bishop of Bangor in 2008 and was elected Archbishop of Wales in December 2021.
The Independent
11 hours ago
- The Independent
Archbishop of Wales retires after critical reports on cathedral behaviour
The Archbishop of Wales has announced his retirement after a critical report raised complaints about alcohol use and sexual behaviour at his diocese. Andrew John confirmed he would be stepping down with immediate effect in a statement issued on Friday evening. He will also retire as Bishop of Bangor on August 31. The move follows a safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral, which identified 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred' and 'promiscuity was acceptable'. There is no suggestion the archbishop behaved inappropriately. Mr John commissioned two reports into the North Wales cathedral in October last year. A summary of a report shared on the Church in Wales' website said there were also reports of 'inappropriate language, rude jokes and innuendoes in the choir that left some feeling unsafe and marginalised'. Inappropriate language was also used in front of younger members of the choir and at times caused 'humiliation to some', the report's compilers were told. Other issues raised included the presence of hurtful gossip, a poor safeguarding approach and weak financial controls. Announcing his retirement, Mr John said: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. 'I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire.' After the publication of a summary into the reports earlier this year, the archbishop said: 'I acknowledge that these findings are hard to hear – but they must be faced if we are to move forward with integrity.' 'I have begun reflecting on what I must learn from this process – not only as a leader, but as a fellow pilgrim,' he added. 'While this has been a sobering time, it also offers us opportunity for change. It will mean hard work, but it can also bring healing, and we do not do this alone.' Mr John became Bishop of Bangor in 2008 and was elected Archbishop of Wales in December 2021.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Archbishop of Wales retires after critical reports on cathedral behaviour
The Archbishop of Wales has announced his retirement after a critical report raised complaints about alcohol use and sexual behaviour at his diocese. Andrew John confirmed he would be stepping down with immediate effect in a statement issued on Friday evening. He will also retire as Bishop of Bangor on August 31. The move follows a safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral, which identified 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred' and 'promiscuity was acceptable'. There is no suggestion the archbishop behaved inappropriately. Mr John commissioned two reports into the North Wales cathedral in October last year. A summary of a report shared on the Church in Wales' website said there were also reports of 'inappropriate language, rude jokes and innuendoes in the choir that left some feeling unsafe and marginalised'. Inappropriate language was also used in front of younger members of the choir and at times caused 'humiliation to some', the report's compilers were told. Other issues raised included the presence of hurtful gossip, a poor safeguarding approach and weak financial controls. Announcing his retirement, Mr John said: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. 'I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire.' After the publication of a summary into the reports earlier this year, the archbishop said: 'I acknowledge that these findings are hard to hear – but they must be faced if we are to move forward with integrity.' 'I have begun reflecting on what I must learn from this process – not only as a leader, but as a fellow pilgrim,' he added. 'While this has been a sobering time, it also offers us opportunity for change. It will mean hard work, but it can also bring healing, and we do not do this alone.' Mr John became Bishop of Bangor in 2008 and was elected Archbishop of Wales in December 2021.
Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Times
Archbishop of Wales announces retirement after damning reports
The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev Andrew John, has announced his retirement 'with immediate effect', after calls were made for his resignation over reports on the culture within the cathedral in his diocese. The sudden departure of John, 61, marks the second time in six months that a British Anglican leader has had to step down, after the resignation of the Right Rev Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury in January. The Church in Wales is the Church of England's sister church. There are no suggestions that John, who is also Bishop of Bangor, behaved inappropriately himself, however reports published last month laid bare 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred' at Bangor Cathedral as well as other failings. These included 'conduct in some areas — relating to alcohol use and sexual behaviour — that did not reflect the professional standards expected in a Christian church'; 'the presence of hurtful gossip, both in person and online, which caused pain and division'; and 'weak financial controls, unclear reporting lines, and spending decisions that were insufficiently scrutinised'. The reports were only published in summary form, prompting criticism from Ruth Jones, the Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, who said of John last month: 'I would like him to come forward and explain what has happened and how he is going to put it right.' Ruth Jones ROGER HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY Earlier this week, John, who became Archbishop of Wales in 2021, issued a statement which read: 'I wish to apologise for errors of judgment I have made that have caused anxiety and hurt. My apology to you all is heartfelt, unreserved and unequivocal.' John, who has also served as Bishop of Bangor since 2008, said that the reports on Bangor Cathedral revealed 'shortcomings and poor organisational practice which should not have occurred', and added: 'I deeply regret that they happened under my episcopate and I recognise I ought to have done more to ensure such failings did not occur.' Days later, on Friday night, John issued an additional statement which began: 'I am writing to you to announce my immediate retirement today as Archbishop of Wales. I also intend to retire as Bishop of Bangor on August 31.' He made no further mention of the scandal at Bangor Cathedral, and nor did the Bench of Bishops of the Church of Wales, who paid tribute to John by saying: 'We offer most sincere thanks, and our commitment to hold him and his family in prayer at this time and in the days ahead.' John's departure leaves both the Church in Wales and the Church of England in search of a new primate at the same time. • Welby says damning report that led to his downfall was flawed The BBC reported that six serious incident reports had been filed to Charity Commission related to charities linked to the Bangor diocese. Medwin Hughes, chairman of the Body of Representatives for the church, said he wanted to 'place on record my sincere gratitude for all he has achieved, together with my admiration for the integrity of his ministry to the people of Wales'. It is understood that a meeting was held this week in which the trustees of the Church in Wales declared that they no longer had confidence in the leadership of the Bangor diocese. John added in his statement: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. I cannot thank you enough for the privilege of working at your side for the sake of our saviour Jesus Christ. I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire and I will be in touch again about the way in which this might happen.' Lord Williams of Oystermouth served as Archbishop of Wales before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002.
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Archbishop of Wales retires with immediate effect amid 'blurred sexual boundaries' reports into 'cathedral failings'
The Archbishop of Wales has announced his sudden retirement following a critical report into the culture at one of his cathedrals. In a statement issued this evening, the Most Reverend Andrew John said he would also be stepping down from his role as Bishop of Bangor on August 31. It follows a safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral which found complaints about 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred'. There were also claims of excessive drinking and 'inappropriate language' being used in front of younger members of the choir. The full reports are yet to be published but summaries have been posted on the Church of Wales's website. There is no suggestion that the archbishop has behaved inappropriately. Announcing his retirement on Friday, Mr John said: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. 'I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire.' While no mention of the report was made in his retirement announcement, Mr John has previously faced calls to resign. John Pockett, a member of the Church in Wales for almost 70 years, said according to the BBC: 'The leader of the Church in Wales is at the centre of all this. 'He is the Archbishop, he is the leader and it has happened at his Cathedral. 'It sullies the name of the Church in Wales across the country. [Archbishop of Wales] Andy John needs to come out and state plainly what has happened.' Meanwhile, Ruth Jones, Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, said: 'We want openness and transparency in all our church settings and it's really, really important that the archbishop makes clear what has gone on.' Two priests from within Bangor Cathedral have also called an independent inquiry following the report into the church's culture. Mr John previously offered his 'most heartfelt apology to any members of the cathedral community who have been hurt or who feel I have let them down'. Mr John assumed the role of Bishop of Bangor in 2008. He was elected Archbishop of Wales in December 2021 and was the 14th person to hold the title.
