Calls for safeguarding inquiry into cathedral

Two priests from a north Wales cathedral have called for an independent inquiry after two critical reports highlighted safeguarding concerns and misbehaviour there.

The reports highlighted complaints about a “culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred” at Bangor Cathedral, along with inappropriate language being used and alcohol consumed excessively.

Rev Dr John Prysor-Jones and the Very Rev Professor Gordon McPhate, from Bangor Cathedral, said the reports were “unsatisfactory” and with conclusions “based on impressions” rather than facts.

A Church in Wales spokesperson said: “The matters raised in this correspondence will be carefully considered”.

Dr Prysor-Jones and Prof McPhate have written to Church in Wales bishops to complain that the summaries of the two reports published in May were “unsatisfactory”.

They said these summaries were “limited by narrow terms of reference… and did not make findings of fact, instead reaching conclusions based on impressions”.

The full reports have not been published.

Dr Prysor-Jones and Prof McPhate, who do preaching and pastoral work at the cathedral, have called for a formal inquiry into the diocese of Bangor and its cathedral since 2011.

They said the inquiry should be “assisted by advisers in organisational management, canon law, civil law, and criminal law”.

The Church in Wales has acknowledged safeguarding weaknesses, management practices lacking in rigour and transparency, and misconduct relating to alcohol use and sexual behaviour at Bangor Cathedral.

After calls for his resignation were made, the Most Rev Andrew John, who is both Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor, offered his “most heartfelt apology to any members of the cathedral community who have been hurt or who feel I have let them down”.

The Church in Wales said it had created an implementation group to ensure the issues are addressed.

BBC-produced Newyddion S4C has been sent other letters by Church in Wales members outlining concerns about the situation at Bangor diocese and Cathedral, with one describing the situation in the Cathedral as “desperate” and another as “terrible”.

One member of the Bangor Cathedral congregation has called for the Archbishop of Wales to have his position as lead bishop for safeguarding revoked immediately due to the safeguarding failures acknowledged by the Church.

Newyddion S4C requested an interview with the Archbishop of Wales to discuss the contents of, and reaction to the letters.

A Church in Wales spokesperson said they were not conducting interviews.

In a short statement, they said: “We can confirm that letters have been received by the Bishops of the other dioceses of the Church in Wales regarding the Diocese of Bangor and its cathedral and that the matters raised in this correspondence will be carefully considered.”