Welsh MPs write to the Bishops of the Church in Wales

The following letter has been sent to the Bishops by Members of Parliament from South Wales constituencies.

Dear Bishops

Election of a Bishop of Llandaff

It is with some reluctance and regret that we find ourselves needing to place our concerns relating to recent events within the Church in Wales on the public record.

We had heard from many quarters of concerns and allegations relating to homophobic comments made during the election process for the appointment of a Bishop of Llandaff.

We are aware that neither homosexuality nor civil partnership are a bar to appointment within the Church in Wales. We are strongly of the opinion that leadership, scholarship, compassion and communication skills are the primary qualifications for the tasks facing a Bishop in Wales.

We are sorry to hear the allegations, the distress and the acrimony recent events surrounding the appointment of a new Bishop of Llandaff have created within the Church.

We are of the opinion that ‘exhaustion’ cannot be acceptable as a reason not to appoint someone eminently qualified and what we are informed was the unanimous choice of the electors of Llandaff.

We feel that the present process has been flawed and has let to considerable disharmony, anger and confusion. We respectfully recommend that there is a pause in the appointment process to allow emotions to cool and sound council to be heard. It would then appear appropriate that a new election is called, open to past and new candidates to apply and an open and transparent decision be made. There is now a need for healing and rebuilding of trust and confidence in the legality and moral leadership of the appointment of a much needed new Bishop of Llandaff and we hope this will soon be possible.

Yours

Madeleine Moon MP Bridgend

Co signatures

Stephen Doughty MP (MP for Cardiff South and Penarth)

Carolyn Harris MP (MP for Swansea East)

Nia Griffiths MP (MP for Llanelli)

Chris Elmore MP (MP for Ogmore)

Chris Bryant MP (MP for Rhondda)

Chris Evans MP (MP for Islwyn)

Wayne David MP (MP for Caerphilly)

Gerald Jones MP (MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)