Rt. Rev. Saunders Davies, Bishop of Bangor has announced, in a statement read out in all parishes in the diocese of Bangor today (Sunday 30th November 2003), that he is to retire. His resignation will take effect on 18th February 2004.

He has served for forty years in the stipendiary ministry in a variety of posts and locations. Born in 1937 in the Gwaun Valley near Fishguard, he was educated at the University College of North Wales, Bangor, University of Cambridge (Selwyn College), St Michael’s Theological College Cardiff and the University of Bonn in Germany. Having been ordained at Llandaff Cathedral in 1963, he began his ministry as assistant curate in the parish of Holyhead on Anglesey before becoming Chaplain of Bangor Cathedral (1967-1969). He became Rector of the Parish of Llanllyfni with Penygroes and Talysarn in 1969. In 1975 he was appointed a Canon of Bangor Cathedral and Canon Missioner of the diocese of Bangor. He took up the post of vicar of Gorseinon near Swansea in 1978 and in 1986 he became Vicar of Eglwys Dewi Sant in Cardiff city Centre.

His next appointment in 1993 was as Archdeacon of Meirionnydd and Rector of Cricieth with Treflys, and he held this post until his consecration and enthronement as Bishop of Bangor in January 2000 following the translation of Rt. Rev. Dr. Barry Morgan to be Bishop of Llandaff. He is the author of Y Daith Anorfod, a commentary on the Gospel of Luke and co-editor of Euros Bowen Poet-Priest, both published in 1993. In 2002 he was made Honorary Fellow of the University College of Wales, Bangor.

Commenting today, Bishop Saunders said:

When I began my ordained ministry, it was my sincere hope that I would have the good health to be able to serve as a minister for forty years, and I thank God that I have been able to do so. I have had the pleasure and privilege of serving as a deacon and a priest in parishes across Wales and have had immense job satisfaction throughout my career. Serving as a pastor is a great privilege since it provides the opportunity to be with people at moments of great joy or great sadness and share in those experiences. It has also been a great privilege to be able to preach the word of God on a weekly basis and to share the freshness of the Gospel with people who may be encountering or exploring it for the first time. Following my retirement, I hope that I shall still have the opportunity to preach from time to time.

It has been a joy to share with so many colleagues in the ordained ministry throughout the years. I shall always cherish the warmth of that friendship. It was a privilege to be elected in 1999 to serve as Bishop of Bangor and I have appreciated the prayers of the clergy and laity and their partnership in mission and ministry has been invaluable. As long as I live, the well being of the diocese of Bangor will be in my prayers.

I am looking forward very much to sharing my retirement with my dear wife of 40 years, Cynthia, and to seeing more of my children and grand-children.

 Bishop and Mrs Davies intend to retire to Cardigan, within sight of their native Pembrokeshire. An electoral college to elect a successor to Bishop Saunders as Bishop of Bangor will take place within thirty days of his resignation taking effect, in accordance with the Church in Wales' Constitution. The likely date is mid-March 2004