John Davies (Archbishop of Wales)

John David Edward Davies (born 6 February 1953) is a Welsh Anglican bishop and former solicitor. Since 2008, he has been the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon in the Church in Wales. On 6 September 2017, he was also elected Archbishop of Wales; he will continue his role as diocesan bishop.

The Most Reverend John Davies
Archbishop of Wales
Church	Church in Wales
Diocese	Diocese of Swansea and Brecon
In office	2017 to present
Predecessor	Barry Morgan
Other posts	Bishop of Swansea and Brecon (2008–present) Dean of Brecon (2000–2008)
Orders
Ordination	1984 (deacon) 1985 (priest)
Consecration	2 May 2008 by Barry Morgan
Personal details
Birth name	John David Edward Davies
Born	(1953-02-06) 6 February 1953 Newport, Wales
Nationality	British
Denomination	Anglicanism
Spouse	Jo Davies ( m. 1986)
Children	Two
Education	Bassaleg Grammar School
Alma mater	University of Southampton St. Michael's College, Llandaff University of Wales Cardiff University

Early life and education

Davies was born on 6 February 1953 in Newport, Wales.[1][2] He was educated at Bassaleg School, then a state grammar school.[2] He studied law at the University of Southampton, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 1974.[3] From 1975 to 1977, he undertook his training contract and he was admitted as a solicitor in 1977.[4] He then practised law in a private practice until leaving the profession to enter the church.[4]

In 1982, Davies entered St. Michael's College, Llandaff, an Anglican theological college, to train for ordained ministry and to study theology.[5] In 1984, he completed a Diploma in Theology (DipTh) with the University of Wales.[4] He later undertook postgraduate studies in canon law at Cardiff University, and completed a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in 1995.[4]

Ordained ministry

Davies was ordained in the Church in Wales as a deacon on 29 September 1984 and as a priest on 28 September 1985.[3][6] From 1984 to 1986. he served his curacy at St Mary's Church, Chepstow in the Diocese of Monmouth.[3] From 1986 to 1989, he was curate-in-charge of Michaelston-y-Fedw and Rudry.[4] He was then Rector of Bedwas and Rudry between 1989 and 1995.[3] From 1995 to 2000, he was Vicar of the Church of St John Evangelist in Newport.[4]

In 2000, Davies moved to the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon where he had been appointed Dean of Brecon Cathedral.[4] In 2005, he was additionally appointed priest-in-charge of Cynog Honddu.[3]

Episcopal ministry

In January 2008, Davies was elected as the next Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, in succession to Anthony Pierce.[2] On 2 May 2008, he was consecrated as a bishop by Barry Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales, during a service at Llandaff Cathedral.[7] On 24 May 2008, he was installed in Brecon Cathedral as the ninth Bishop of Swansea and Brecon.[7]

As the senior bishop in Wales, Davies served as the acting Archbishop of Wales in the vacancy following Barry Morgan's retirement on 31 January 2017.[8] As such, he was the principal consecrator of June Osborne in July 2017.[9]

On 6 September 2017, Davies was elected the 13th Archbishop of Wales.[10] He was enthroned as archbishop at Brecon Cathedral on 2 December 2017.[11][12]

In 2018, he became embroiled in the Bishop of Monmouth saga, leading to Bishop Pain to leave on the grounds of ill health.[13][14][15]

Personal life

In 1986, Davies married Joanna Lucy "Jo" Aulton; she works as a nurse in the NHS.[2][4] Together they have two children: Kate and Christopher.[2]

References

1. Debrett’s
2. "Bishop John's profile". Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. Church in Wales. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
3. "John David Edward Davies". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
4. "SWANSEA AND BRECON, Bishop of,". Who's Who 2017. Oxford University Press. November 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
5. Crockfords, (London, Church House 1995) ISBN 0-7151-8088-6
6. "The Most Reverend J D E Davies". The Church in Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
7. "New bishop consecrated at service". BBC News. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
8. Constitution of the Church in Wales, Chapter V Part II, Section 9 (Accessed 5 January 2017)
9. "Consecration of the Bishop of Llandaff". Church in Wales. 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
10. "Bishop John Davies chosen as new Archbishop of Wales". BBC News. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
11. "New Archbishop of Wales elected". Church in Wales. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
12. "Archbishop wants to 'refresh' church". BBC News. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
13. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46989110
14. https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/17608424.bishop-of-monmouth-has-resigned/
15. https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/17731584.archbishop-of-wales-john-davies-declares-saga-that-has-engulfed-diocese-of-monmouth-for-months-is-now-closed/

Church in Wales titles
Preceded by Anthony Pierce	Bishop of Swansea and Brecon 2008–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Barry Morgan	Archbishop of Wales 2017–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Geraint Hughes	Dean of Brecon Cathedral 2000–2008	Succeeded by Geoffrey Marshall