Barry Morgan

The Most Reverend Barry Morgan
Archbishop of Wales
In office	May 2003–present
Predecessor	Rowan Williams
Other posts	Bishop of Llandaff (1999–present) Bishop of Bangor (1992–1999)
Orders
Consecration	9 January 1993
Personal details
Born	31 January 1947 Neath, West Glamorgan, United Kingdom
Alma mater	University College London Selwyn College, Cambridge Westcott House, Cambridge University of Wales

Barry Cennydd Morgan (born 31 January 1947) has been the Archbishop of Wales, chief bishop of the (Anglican) Church in Wales, since 2003. In April 2013 he became patron of the Welsh-language Wikipedia.

Early life

Morgan was born in Neath, Wales.

Education

Morgan studied history at University College, London and theology at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He trained for Christian ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Wales in 1986.

Ministry

Ordained ministry

Morgan was ordained deacon in 1972 and priest in 1973. He was a curate in the parish of St Andrews Major with Michaelston-le-Pit, before moving to become chaplain and lecturer at St Michael's College and the University of Wales in Cardiff. Subsequent appointments include warden of the Church Hostel Bangor; chaplain and lecturer in theology at the University of Wales Bangor; Director of Ordinands and in-service training advisor in the Diocese of Bangor; and Rector of Wrexham. From 1986 to 1993 he was Archdeacon of Merioneth. In 1992 he was elected Bishop of Bangor; he was consecrated on 9 January 1993 at St Asaph Cathedral and then, in 1999 translated to become Bishop of Llandaff. He was elected in April 2003 to become Archbishop of Wales, remaining also Bishop of Llandaff;^[1] he took office upon the confirmation of his election in May 2003, and was ceremonially inaugurated on 12 July 2003 in Llandaff Cathedral.^[2]

Other appointments

Morgan has served on the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches and served on the Primates Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion. He was a member of the Lambeth Commission which produced the Windsor Report 2004.

Morgan is currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Wales, a fellow of Cardiff, UWIC, Bangor, Swansea, Carmarthen and Lampeter and was until recently President of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs. He chaired an inquiry on behalf of Shelter Cymru on homelessness in Wales.

Key debates

Trident

In September 2006, Morgan challenged the UK government's plans to renew the Trident nuclear missile system. According to the BBC,^[3] he expressed concern "about the government's apparent commitment to a long-term replacement for the Trident weapons system. With that kind of money we could prevent 16,000 children dying every day from diseases caused by impure water and malnutrition. The deaths of 16,000 children a day is the equivalent of 40 jumbo jets crashing every day of every week. Our world would not tolerate that - just look at what happens when our airports grind to a halt. But we do tolerate hunger, poverty and impure water, and are prepared to contemplate spending our resources on weapons of mass destruction." Morgan clarified that the view expressed were his own, and not those of the Church in Wales, however, the Church Governing body later supported his views,^[4] supporting the motion that "...the Governing Body deplore the decision of Her Majesty’s Government to consider the maintenance and renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons programme."

Fundamentalist atheism

In December 2007, Morgan blamed "fundamentalist atheism" for the phenomenon of de-Christianisation in public life,^[5] claiming that Christmas was being called "Winterval", hospitals were removing Christian symbols from their chapels and schools were refusing to allow children to send Christmas cards.^[6]

Devolution

Morgan has argued strongly for increased transfers of responsibilities to the Welsh Assembly.

Immigration

He has expressed disquiet with the deportation of illegal immigrants (in one particular instance involving a cancer sufferer). At Christmas 2014 he asked the British government to accept more refugees from Syria.

Organ donation

Whilst strongly in favour of organ donation, he is against the Welsh Government's Bill on presumed consent where those who have not opted out will be deemed to have opted in for organ donation.

Ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate

Morgan has strongly supported the ministry of women priests in a diocese hitherto strongly opposed to this development and has appointed women to be Archdeacon of Llandaff, Dean of Llandaff and vicar of the central Cardiff parish of St John the Baptist.

The Governing Body of the Church in Wales voted twice during Morgan's time as archbishop on the ordination of women to the episcopate, once in April 2008 (when the Governing Body voted in dissent) and once in 2013 (when it voted in assent).

Published works

Welsh-speaking, Morgan has written books on various subjects, including the poetry of R. S. Thomas. He usually uses the Welsh language during services .

• Strangely Orthodox: R. S. Thomas and His Poetry of Faith. Gomer Press. 2006. ISBN 978-1-84323-682-5.

Personal life

Morgan was married to a member of the Crown Prosecution Service. Her death occurred on 14/01/2016. He has been a keen golfer. In April 2013 he became patron of the Welsh-language Wikipedia.

References

1. Anglican Ink — Primates of the Anglican Communion — Archbishop of Wales (Accessed 31 January 2016)
2. The Telegraph – Archbishop of Wales is inaugurated (Accessed 24 September 2014)
3. BBC NEWS | Wales | Archbishop hits out over Trident
4. http://www.churchinwales.org.uk/press/0339e.html
5. BBC NEWS | Wales | 'Atheistic fundamentalism' fears
6. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/uk-and-world-news/2007/12/22/archbishop-in-attack-on-atheists-84229-20279788

External links

• Biography at the Church in Wales at the Wayback Machine (archived June 7, 2011)