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Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Home Bishop of St Davids Bishop Dorrien's Easter Message

Bishop Dorrien's Easter Message

Easter

Easter 2024

My dear Sisters and Brothers,

Our faith is an Easter faith, Jesus is Risen from the dead! The tomb is empty, and our hope has become a reality. Today we can claim that new life and joy belongs to us, the battle has been fought and “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor 15.54). Jesus lives! And the world needs to hear our Alleluia!

Today, more than ever, the world needs to be aware of the truth of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus, its effect on our lives and the hope that Christ’s redeeming love has on a divided, hopeless and broken world. Jesus’ resurrection bringing’s an end to sin and death, to injustice; his love comforts the bereaved, binds the broken and opens our way to God. In Christ all things are made new and through him we are “born again”.

As we look at the world, we can see that the need for the Easter message is great. Since the end of the pandemic, it grieves me to think that the percentage of those who do not attend church or chapel is on the increase. Most people seem to have a residual belief in a divine being; however, it plays a very little part in their day-to-day lives. Even the rites of passage of birth, marriage, and death are becoming distant from the sacraments and pastoral ministry of the church. I am concerned that there are fewer young families, teenagers and children in our congregations, and that older members are feeling marginalized and undervalued, there is a general apathy which shadows everything.

We need to find ways of communicating the Joy of the Risen Christ anew and encourage people to participate in the full life and ministry of the church. I am mindful that at the heart of every community there is a church whose task it is to radiate the love of God and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. As we celebrate Easter let us as a Diocese commit ourselves to not only proclaim the Risen life of Christ but share him and allow his life to live in us and revitalise our church communities.

For all of us, the work of preaching the Gospel starts on our own doorstep. In fact, attending church is one way of doing so that everyone can do. I remember hearing about a new vicar in a parish who decided to celebrate Communion every morning during Holy Week. The warden said it would be a waste of time. "No one will come," he said.

A young boy was listening, "I’ll come," he said, and he did so every morning. On the second morning, his parents came with him. By Wednesday morning, his school friends were there. His neighbours attended the Good Friday afternoon service and everyone at that church enjoyed a blessed Easter. This can happen in our churches, not only at Easter, but throughout the year, should we choose this way of preaching the Gospel and sharing the life of Jesus.

I wish you a happy and blessed Easter,

+Dorrien Tyddewi