From the Principal of St Michael's College,
Llandaff
Sir, - Your coverage of the warmth extended to St Michael's
College during the discussion of its annual report at the Governing
Body of the Church in Wales (Welsh Governing
Body, 2 May) is very welcome. There was great appreciation of
the work of the college and a desire that this should continue.
Your quotation of Canon Patrick Thomas is inaccurate, however.
Canon Thomas praised the work of the college on its Welsh-language
programme. When, however, Canon Thomas said that he was "disturbed
that nobody was involved who was working in a bilingual ministry",
he was not referring to the college. He was, rather, referring to
the authors of the report on the future of training.
He felt that the report should have included people who spoke
Welsh, and appreciated the importance of bilingual ministry.
I have spoken to Canon Thomas, and he feels that it is important
that this mistake in your report of the debate should be corrected.
The reality is that a number of our students are placed in
bilingual parishes, including Canon Thomas's. The college also has
a strong programme every week of tuition in the Welsh language, and
the bulk of our worship is bilingual.
Staff at the college are preparing a response to the report,
which we hope will be accepted by the Bishops when they meet in
June.
What is important is that both formation and the promotion of
Welsh culture and language are at the centre of all training for
ministry. The debate at the Governing Body recognised this, which
is very encouraging.
PETER SEDGWICK
St Michael's College
Llandaff CF5 2YJ