THE Bishop of Swansea & Brecon, the Most Revd John Davies, has been elected Archbishop of Wales, it was announced this week.

He succeeds Dr Barry Morgan, who retired in January after 14 years as the leader of the Church in Wales.

“I am overwhelmed and humbled,” Archbishop Davies said on Wednesday. “I would like to thank members of the College and especially my fellow bishops for the confidence and trust they have shown in me. We will work together as a team to grow and strengthen the Church as it serves the communities of Wales and helps build the kingdom of God.”

He was elected after securing a two-thirds majority vote from members of the electoral college. The election was immediately confirmed by the five other diocesan bishops. He will be enthroned at Brecon cathedral.

Born in Newport, Archbishop Davies graduated in law from the University of Southampton and worked in criminal law before his ordination in 1984. He served in the diocese of Monmouth before being appointed Dean of Brecon. As the lead Bishop for Church and Society, he has spoken on homelessness and housing, rural problems, organ donation, assisted dying, and poverty. He also has a “particular concern” about the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders.

He has served as the chairman of the trustees of a large hospice in Newport and as a chorister, organist, and choirmaster. He is married to Jo, an emergency nurse practitioner, and they have two grown-up children.

He inherits a Church that this year received its first female bishop, has moved away from the traditional parish structure, and, like the C of E is facing declining numbers. His predecessor described it as “much more welcoming” than in the past (News, 3 February).