The new Archbishop of Wales to be enthroned

The Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, John Davies, was elected as the 13th Archbishop of Wales in September and his enthronement will take place at a national service in Brecon Cathedral.

Rev Cannon Carol Wardman from the Church in Wales told Premier what he will bring to the role.

“He’s got a very keen interest in the way that the Church and the outside world interact.

“He’s a lawyer by background so he brings all that trained mind and ability to get his head around a subject very quickly into play,” she said.

Cannon Wardman added: “He’s got a terrific sense of humour.

“He’s been a great fun to work with over the last six, seven years and I’m looking forward to working with him in the future as Archbishop.”

Archbishop John will be led into the Cathedral by a long procession which will include clergy, visiting bishops, diocesan legal officers, ecumenical and interfaith guests and representatives of academic institutions.

During the service the Archbishop will be placed in the Archiepiscopal chair (or throne) by the Bishop of Bangor, the Senior Bishop, who will then present him to the congregation.

The Archiepiscopal chair is a wooden replica of the Chair of St Augustine in Canterbury Cathedral, and was a gift from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1920 when, at its disestablishment, the Church in Wales became a separate Province of the Anglican Communion. The chair will remain at Brecon Cathedral throughout Archbishop John’s tenure of office as Archbishop.

The enthronement service will be led by the Dean of Brecon, Dr Paul Shackerley.

Archbishop John will give the address. More than 600 people are expected to attend, representing a cross-section of people, from across the churches and wider Welsh society.

The new Archbishop of Wales will be enthroned on Saturday afternoon.