On Saturday, September 12th, the historic Newport Cathedral was the site of a momentous event as the Rt Revd Dr Manon Ceridwen James was consecrated as the 82nd Bishop of Bangor. This consecration marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to hold this esteemed role.
The service was led by the Most Revd Cherry Vann, Archbishop of Wales, and was attended by many esteemed members of the church community. During the service, Bishop Manon was anointed and presented with the symbols of a bishop’s ministry, including an episcopal ring, pectoral cross, mitre, Bible, and pastoral staff.
Originally hailing from Nefyn on the Llŷn Peninsula, Bishop Manon has a long history within the diocese of Bangor. She was ordained as a deacon at Bangor Cathedral in 1994 and became one of the first women to be ordained as a priest in the diocese in 1997. She has also served as a parish priest in both the dioceses of Bangor and St Asaph, as well as holding various diocesan roles in training, education, and vocations. Prior to her appointment as the Dean of Bangor Cathedral in October 2025, she served as the Dean for Initial Ministerial Training at St Padarn’s Institute.
The Archbishop of Wales welcomed Bishop Manon into her new role, stating, “Manon is well-known to the people of the diocese and she will be a huge asset to both the diocese and the Province and the Bench of Bishops. We wish her every blessing as she steps into this ministry.”
In her own words, Bishop Manon expressed her gratitude and excitement for this new chapter in her life. She stated, “I feel very privileged to be called to this ministry. I am also deeply grateful as I remember all those people, from my Sunday school teacher onwards, who have nurtured and encouraged me in faith and supported me throughout my life. During the service, we prayed for the strength of the Holy Spirit to equip and sustain me in this ministry. As I respond to this call, I hope it will also be an opportunity for people across the Diocese of Bangor, and beyond, to reflect on their own calling and on what God might be calling us to do together. I am excited by the opportunities we have to serve our communities and to share God’s love with everyone.”
The service was filled with meaningful moments, including a rendition of Bishop Timothy Rees’s hymn, ‘Arglwydd, trefni mewn doethineb’ (‘Lord, who in thy perfect wisdom’), which Bishop Manon adapted to include saints associated with the Diocese of Bangor. Her husband also played a role in the service, reading the Old Testament lesson, and a close friend from theological college delivered the sermon.
The consecration took place the day after the Church celebrated the feast of St Deiniol, the founder of the monastic community at Bangor Fawr, from which the Diocese of Bangor traces its origins.
Bishop Manon will officially be installed in the bishop’s chair at Bangor Cathedral on Saturday, September 19th at 2pm. Representatives from across the diocese will be in attendance to welcome her into her new role.
For those who were unable to attend the consecration service, it can be viewed on YouTube.
