Bangor deacon serves as chaplain at Archbishop of Wales’ enthronement

A newly ordained deacon from the Diocese of Bangor served as one of three chaplains to the Archbishop of Wales at her enthronement service on 8 November.

Karen Morris was ordained a deacon earlier this year at Bangor Cathedral and now ministers in the Bro Dwylan Ministry Area. Archbishop Cherry Vann invited her to take on the role at the national service at St Woolos Cathedral, Newport, after Robert Townsend, Archdeacon of Meirionnydd, suggested her because of their shared connection with the Diocese of Manchester.

“It was a tremendous honour to be asked,” she said.

Karen said the scale of the event made it “hard not to be nervous when you are being asked to support in a high profile event". Her main concern, she added, was remembering each step at the right time, "I am open about my having ADHD; I have to work twice as hard to remember sequences of instructions but Precentor Fr. John Connell provided a great deal of support in answering my questions and I wrote everything down on the order of service."

As chaplain, she was responsible for carrying the Archbishop’s crozier and her cope and kire and ensuring the Archbishop was robed and equipped at the correct points in the liturgy. "I carried the crozier which is very heavy: it is stored securely when not needed and handled with plenty of dignity!"

“The important thing was to support the Archbishop at a moment when she committed herself to serving God at a much deeper level and with more responsibility,” she said. “My role was minor but a real privilege.”