Andy John | |
|---|---|
| formerArchbishop of Wales | |
 John in 2023 | |
| Church | Church in Wales |
| Province | Church in Wales |
| Diocese | Diocese of Bangor |
| Installed | 6 December 2021 |
| Term ended | 27 June 2025 |
| Predecessor | John Davies |
| Successor | Cherry Vann |
| Other post | Bishop of Bangor (2008–2025) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1 July 1989 (deacon) 30 June 1990 (priest) by George Noakes |
| Consecration | 29 November 2008 by Barry Morgan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Andrew Thomas Griffith John (1964-01-09)9 January 1964 (age 61) |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
| Alma mater | University of Nottingham St John's College, Nottingham |
Andrew Thomas Griffith John[1][2] (born 9 January 1964) is a WelshAnglican bishop. He has served asBishop of Bangor from 2008 to 2025, and was additionallyArchbishop of Wales, the head of theChurch in Wales, from 2021 until he announced his immediate retirement from the post on 27 June 2025.
A native ofAberystwyth, John was educated atYsgol Penglais School, a comprehensive school in the town. He is a fluent Welsh speaker.[3]
John went on to study law at theUniversity of Wales, Cardiff.[3] After graduating in 1986, he studied theology at theUniversity of Nottingham, graduating in 1988, followed by a diploma in pastoral studies atSt John's College, Nottingham in 1989.[4]
He was ordaineddeacon in theDiocese of St Davids and apriest at Petertide 1990 (on 30 June atSt Davids Cathedral byGeorge Noakes,Bishop of St Davids and Archbishop of Wales).[5] Until his election as Bishop of Bangor, all his ministry was in the Diocese of St Davids.[3] Initially he wascurate forCardigan,Y Ferwig andMwnt from 1989 to 1991 and then in Aberystwyth from 1991 to 1992. He was avicar in the Rectorial Benefice of Aberystwyth from 1992 to 1999. From 1999 he was vicar ofHenfynyw withAberaeron andLlanddewi Aberarth, to which was addedLlanbadarn Trefeglwys in 2005. In 2006 he was appointed vicar ofPencarreg andLlanycrwys and theArchdeacon of Cardigan.
John was electedBishop of Bangor on 9 October 2008 and was consecrated inLlandaff Cathedral on 29 November 2008, along with the newBishop of St Davids,Wyn Evans.[6] He was enthroned inBangor Cathedral on 24 January 2009.[7]
On 6 December 2021, John was elected asArchbishop of Wales (remaining Bishop of Bangor) by an electoral college of the Church in Wales meeting at Holy Trinity Church,Llandrindod Wells; hiselection wasconfirmed and therefore he legally immediately took up the archiepiscopal see.[8] He was formally enthroned as Archbishop of Wales on 30 April 2022.[9][10] He was honoured as a member ofGorsedd Cymru in 2023[11] as were two previous archbishops of Wales,Barry Morgan andRowan Williams.
On 27 June 2025, John unexpectedly announced his immediate retirement as Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor effective 31 August 2025.[12][13] This followed the publication of two reports critical of behaviour at Bangor cathedral, where it was found that "sexual boundaries seemed blurred" and also that alcohol had been consumed to excess.[14] Although John was not himself criticised for these failings, he apologised to those who had been hurt or let down.[15] There were also allegations of financial mismanagement involving diocesan charities.[14][16] After meeting with John, theRepresentative Body of the Church in Wales issued several recommendations to the diocese and the cathedral ending with a declaration of no confidence in the leadership at the diocese.[12][13][17]
John identifies himself with theEvangelical tradition of Anglicanism. Some of his actions and views also align withAnglo-Catholicism[18] and withliberalism.[19]
John and his first wife, the Reverend Caroline John, have four children. Following their divorce,[20] he remarried.[21]
spent all his ministry so far in the Diocese of St Davids
Andrew John, 44, grew up in Aberystwyth and graduated in Law at the University of Wales, Cardiff, in 1986, Theology at Nottingham in 1988 followed by a Diploma in Pastoral Studies in 1989 at St John's College, Nottingham.
The Very Rev Wyn Evans, Dean of St Davids, will be consecrated as the 128th Bishop of St Davids while the Venerable Andrew John, Archdeacon of Cardigan, will be consecrated as the 81st Bishop of Bangor. Both were elected while serving in the Diocese of St Davids.
The Rt Revd Andy John Consecrated Bishop at Llandaff Cathedral on 29th November 2008, enthroned as 81st Bishop of Bangor, at Bangor Cathedral on Saturday 24th January 2009
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)| Church in Wales titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Bishop of Bangor 2008–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Archbishop of Wales 2021–2025 | Succeeded by |