Wyn John Evans
is New Bishop of St Davids
Early October of 2008 it was announced that the new Bishop of St Davids was to be the Very Rev John Wyn Evans, Dean of St Davids Cathedral.
He was elected as the 128th bishop of the diocese by the Electoral College of the Church in Wales, at a “lock in” meeting at the cathedral. The election followed the resignation of the former bishop, Rt Rev Carl Cooper, in May, who was bishop from 2002.
The Very Rev John Wyn Evans, 61, has served as Dean for the past 14 years, during which time he was the driving force behind a £5.5m Cathedral restoration project, which has secured the future of the building for generations to come.
He said, “We are fortunate that Bishop Carl gave the diocese a sense of purpose and direction which I look forward to continuing.”
Very Rev John Wyn Evans with the Archbishop of Wales
The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said, “I am delighted with the result of this election. It is obvious that Wyn has enormous support both within and without the diocese. He is a safe pair of hands and also a man who can move the diocese forward and continue its good work.”
Wyn Evans, grew up in Aberystwyth, the son of the vicar of Aberystwyth Efion Evans. He was educated at Ardwyn Grammar School, Aberystwyth, then studied archaeology at the University of Wales, Cardiff. He trained for the priesthood at St Michael's College, Llandaff 1968-71 and has served all his ministry in the Diocese of St Davids.
He was Ordained as a priest in 1972 and served as a minor canon at St Davids Cathedral from 1972-75.
After a period of research at Oxford University he returned to Pembrokeshire, serving as Rector of Llanfallteg with Clunderwen and Hellan Amgoed with Llangan from 1977-82. He was Diocesan Warden of Ordinands from 1978-83, chaplain of Trinity College of Carmarthen 1982-90 and diocesan director of education 1982-1992. He was made an honorary canon of St Davids Cathedral 1988 and served as a canon from 1990 to 1994. He was made Dean of Chapel, Trinity College Carmarthen 1990-94 and head of department of religious studies 1991-94. He was made Dean and Precentor of St Davids Cathedral in 1994. He was vicar of St Davids 1994-2001, a parish which was enlarged into a Rectorial Benefice and renamed, Dewisland, in 2001, where he served as rector.
A keen historian, the Dean is an honorary fellow of the University of Wales, Lampeter, and a leading expert on the lives of the early Welsh saints and St Davids Cathedral. He has recently edited a book, titled, St David of Wales - Cult, Church and Nation.
He is married to Diane, a professional potter in St Davids.
The Church in Wales website is at www.churchinwales.org.uk
Page added Thursday September 04, 2008