Barry Morgan

For other people named Barry Morgan, see Barry Morgan (disambiguation).

The Most Reverend Barry Morgan
Archbishop of Wales
Installed	12 July 2003
Predecessor	Rowan Williams
Other posts	Bishop of Llandaff (1999–present) Bishop of Bangor (1992–1999)
Personal details
Birth name	Barry Morgan
Born	1947 (age 76–77) Neath, Wales, United Kingdom
Alma mater	University College London Selwyn College, Cambridge Westcott House, Cambridge University of Wales

Barry Cennydd Morgan (born 1947) has been the Anglican Archbishop of Wales since 2003. In April 2013 he became patron of the Welsh-language Wikipedia.

Early life

Morgan was born in Neath, Wales.

Education

Morgan studied history at University College, London and theology at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He trained for Christian ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge. He was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Wales in 1986.

Ministry

Ordained ministry

Morgan was ordained deacon in 1972 and priest in 1973. He was a curate in the parish of St Andrews Major with Michaelston-le-Pit, before moving to become chaplain and lecturer at St Michael's College and the University of Wales in Cardiff. Subsequent appointments include warden of the Church Hostel Bangor; chaplain and lecturer in theology at the University of Wales Bangor; Director of Ordinands and in-service training advisor in the Diocese of Bangor; and Rector of Wrexham. From 1986 to 1993 he was Archdeacon of Merioneth. In 1993 he was elected Bishop of Bangor and then, in 1999 elected Bishop of Llandaff.

Other appointments

Morgan has served on the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches and served on the Primates Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion. He was a member of the Lambeth Commission which produced the Windsor Report 2004.

Morgan is currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Wales, a fellow of Cardiff, UWIC, Bangor, Swansea, Carmarthen and Lampeter and was until recently President of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs. He chaired an inquiry on behalf of Shelter Cymru on homelessness in Wales.

Key debates

Trident

In September 2006, Morgan challenged the UK government's plans to renew the Trident nuclear missile system. According to the BBC, he expressed concern "about the government's apparent commitment to a long-term replacement for the Trident weapons system. With that kind of money we could prevent 16,000 children dying every day from diseases caused by impure water and malnutrition. The deaths of 16,000 children a day is the equivalent of 40 jumbo jets crashing every day of every week. Our world would not tolerate that - just look at what happens when our airports grind to a halt. But we do tolerate hunger, poverty and impure water, and are prepared to contemplate spending our resources on weapons of mass destruction." The Archbishop clarified that the view expressed were his own, and not those of the Church in Wales, however, the Church Governing body later supported his views, supporting the motion that "...the Governing Body deplore the decision of Her Majesty’s Government to consider the maintenance and renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons programme."

Fundamentalist atheism

In December 2007, Morgan blamed "fundamentalist atheism" for the phenomenon of de-Christianisation in public life, claiming that Christmas was being called "Winterval", hospitals were removing Christian symbols from their chapels and schools were refusing to allow children to send Christmas cards.

Devolution

Morgan has argued strongly for increased transfers of responsibilities to the Welsh Assembly.

Immigration

He has expressed disquiet with the deportation of illegal immigrants (in one particular instance involving a cancer sufferer). At Christmas 2014 he asked the British government to accept more refugees from Syria.

Organ donation

Whilst strongly in favour of organ donation, he is against the Welsh Government's Bill on presumed consent where those who have not opted out will be deemed to have opted in for organ donation.

Ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate

Morgan has strongly supported the ministry of women priests in a diocese hitherto strongly opposed to this developmentand has appointed female clergy as Archdeacon of Llandaff, Dean of Llandaff Cathedral and vicar of the central Cardiff parish of St John the Baptist.

The Governing Body of the Church in Wales voted twice during Morgan's time as archbishop on the ordination of women to the episcopate, once in April 2008 (when the Governing Body voted in dissent) and once in 2013 (when it voted in assent).

Published works

Welsh-speaking, Morgan has written books on various subjects, including the poetry of R. S. Thomas. He usually uses the Welsh language during services.

• "Strangely Orthodox", 2006 - ISBN 9781843236825

Personal life

Morgan is married to a member of the Crown Prosecution Service. He has been a keen golfer. In April 2013 he became patron of the Welsh-language Wikipedia.

External links

• Biography at the Church in Wales

Church in Wales titles
Preceded by Cledan Mears	Bishop of Bangor 1992–1999	Succeeded by Saunders Davies
Preceded by Roy Davies	Bishop of Llandaff 1999–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Rowan Williams	Archbishop of Wales 2003–present
Academic offices
Preceded by Dafydd Wigley	Pro-Chancellor of the University of Wales 2006–present	Incumbent