Bishop Manon installed as first woman Bishop of Bangor

The Rt Revd Dr Manon Ceridwen James has been installed as the first woman Bishop of Bangor and 82nd Bishop of Bangor.

People from across the diocese gathered alongside Bishop Manon's family and friends at Bangor Cathedral for the service on Saturday 19 September. Her installation at Bangor Cathedral marked the formal beginning of her public ministry in the diocese.

Bishop Manon entered through the West Door after striking it three times with the diocesan crozier. She was welcomed into the Cathedral by Bethan Evans, representing young people across the diocese, and placed in the bishop’s seat.

The service included a new hymn written by Welsh poet Siôn Aled, music from the medieval Bangor Pontifical and singing by pupils from Ysgol Llandwrog.

In her sermon, Bishop Manon said Christians belong to Christ and to one another. She described a bishop as “not a boss but a connector” and called on people across the diocese to listen, pray and work together as they face difficult decisions about ministry, buildings and priorities.

"We belong to Christians across the world and across the centuries. That, for me, is what the ministry of a bishop is about. Not being a “boss” but being a connector. Connecting churches to one another. Connecting the Church today to the church of the past and the church of the future."

She spoke honestly about the difficult decisions facing the diocese, including decisions about buildings, ministry and priorities. She said people would need to listen to God, trust one another and work together.

“Our church, our ministry area, our diocese will only flourish if we make a decision to give our all to serving God where we are,” she said.

Bishop Manon invited people to join her in prayer each morning at 8.30am, wherever they are. She will be praying for "wisdom and insight" at that time in the chapel at Tŷ’r Esgob.

She ended her sermon by saying, “Our DNA is love. Our calling is service. Our strength is not in any one church, priest or even bishop, but in Christ who binds us together. We belong to one another. We belong to Christ. And together, in Christ, we are stronger.”

Bishop Manon preached in both Welsh and English. A bilingual Church is important to the new bishop, who has spoken about the challenge of giving Welsh its proper place while serving communities in both languages.

Speaking recently on BBC Radio Cymru's Caniadaeth y Cysegr, she said mentors including Cynthia and Saunders Davies had helped her understand how to be both “a churchwoman and a Welshwoman”.

"In a Church that seeks to serve every community in both languages, it can sometimes be difficult to prioritise Welsh. But thanks to people such as Cynthia and Saunders Davies, I have been fortunate to have mentors who have helped me understand what it means to be both a churchwoman and a Welshwoman.

Bishop Manon is also a Wrexham AFC supporter. After the service, she was given a Wrexham football shirt by the diocese, with “Esgob” and the number 1 on the back.