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Dictionary

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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’).

Episcopal

‘Episcopal’ refers to the role or ministry of a bishop. So an episcopal church is one in which oversight is entrusted to a bishop. Like many others, the Church in Wales is an episcopal church.

Home For clergy and members Diocesan Elections

Diocesan Elections

Diocesan Conference members are asked to make nominations for elected positions on provincial and diocesan boards and committees. We hope that this will lead to wider representation across the diocese and encourage new people to become involved in the life of our church.

Nominations are now open for vacancies on the following:

Provincial

  • Governing Body
  • College of Episcopal Electors

Diocesan

  • Board of Finance
  • Standing Committee
  • Parsonage Board
  • Nominations Board
  • Churches & Pastoral Committee
  • Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility

All the information you need is below.

Please follow the instructions on the Nomination Forms carefully. Please return Nomination Forms and Candidate Acceptance Forms by email to: elections.stdavids@churchinwales.org.uk by noon on 18 November 2025.

If you are unable to return the forms by email you may return them by post by noon on 18 November to:

Joint Secretaries, Diocesan Office, Abergwili, Carmarthen SA31 2JG

ONLY MEMBERS OF DIOCESAN CONFERENCE ARE ABLE TO NOMINATE OR SECOND A NOMINEE.

Lay Conference members

THE OFFICE WILL CONTACT ALL NOMINATORS AND SECONDERS TO CONFIRM NOMINATIONS.

Ballot papers will be issued accordingly.

GOVERNING BODY OF THE CHURCH IN WALES

The Governing Body (GB) is the supreme legislature of the Church in Wales, broadly speaking the ‘parliament’ of the Church in Wales and comparative to the Church of England General Synod.

Lay Vacancies

Carmarthen Archdeaconry: 1

Cardigan Archdeaconry: 1 (casual vacancy until 26.12.2026)

St Davids Archdeaconry: 1

Supplemental List: Yes

DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

The purpose of the DBF is to fund and resource the Mission and Ministry of the Diocese. The members of the Board are its Directors and Trustees (it is both a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity). The Board operates through a number of committees and members are expected to serve on at least one committee. The DBF sets the annual budget and ministry share level. It also manages the property and investments held by the DBF. The Board usually meets five times a year.

Lay Vacancies

Carmarthen Archdeaconry: 1 (casual vacancy to July 2026)

Cardigan Archdeaconry: 1 (casual vacancy to July 2027)

St Davids Archdeaconry: 1 (casual vacancy to July 2027)

St Davids Archdeaconry: 1 (casual vacancy to July 2028)

Lay Nomination Form

Candidate Acceptance and Details Form

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DIOCESAN CONFERENCE STANDING COMMITTEE

The Committee acts as the Standing/Executive Committee for and is accountable to the Diocesan Conference.

  • Candidates must be members of the Diocesan Conference

Clerical vacancies

St Davids Archdeaconry: 1

Lay Vacancies

Carmarthen Archdeaconry: 1

Cardigan Archdeaconry: 1

St Davids Archdeaconry: 3

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PARSONAGE BOARD

The Parsonage Board oversees all matters relating to Parsonages within the Diocese. The Board is subject to rules and regulations as stated in the Constitution of the Church in Wales,. It also makes reports to the Diocesan Board of Finance and the Standing Committee.

Clerical Vacancies

Cardigan Archdeaconry: 1

St Davids Archdeaconry: 1

Lay Vacancies

Cardigan Archdeaconry: 1

St Davids Archdeaconry: 1

Clergy Spouse: 1 (from any archdeaconry)

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NOMINATIONS BOARD

The Nominations Board oversees all matters within the Diocese relating to Nominations in accordance with Chapter VI of the Constitution of the Church in Wales. The Board is subject to rules and regulations as stated in the Constitution of the Church in Wales, it also makes reports to the Standing Committee.

Clerical Vacancies

2 (any archdeaconry)

Lay Vacancies

Carmarthen Archdeaconry: 1

Cardigan Archdeaconry: 1

St Davids Archdeaconry: 1

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DIOCESAN CHURCHES AND PASTORAL COMMITTEE

The Committee advises the Bishop on the pastoral use of church buildings; it also oversees the Quinquennial Inspection process and the closure and redundancy processes for churches. The Committee is subject to rules and regulations as stated in the Constitution of the Church in Wales. It also makes reports to the Standing Committee.

Lay Vacancies

Cardigan Archdeaconry: 1

St Davids Archdeaconry: 1

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DIOCESAN COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility (DCSR) carries out the general moral welfare work of the Diocese and much of the Church and Society outreach and engagement. The DCSR is subject to rules and regulations as stated in its own Constitution as it is a registered charity in its own right. It also makes reports to the Standing Committee.

Clerical/Lay vacancies

Carmarthen Archdeaconry: 3

Cardigan Archdeaconry: 3

St Davids Archdeaconry: 3

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COLLEGE OF EPISCOPAL ELECTORS

The purpose of the College of Episcopal Electors is to elect the Bishops and the Archbishop of the Church in Wales. The College operates in accordance with the Constitution of the Church in Wales. We require individuals to fill the existing vacancies and to create a supplemental list.

All those nominated will fill existing spaces on the Electors' lists and create a supplemental list of electors who will be called in order of votes received. Please note that those currently serving as electors will be called first in the order they appear on the lists.

In an election for the Bishop of another diocese or the Archbishop, the first three names (both clergy and lay) will be called as electors, meaning six electors in total are called. In a vacancy in our own diocese, six electors (both clergy and lay) will be called as electors, meaning twelve electors in total are called. Failure to elect electors and a supplemental list might mean that our diocese might not have the full quota of electors at an Electoral College.

Further details can be found by following the information link below and by reading the Nomination Forms.

Clerical Vacancies

1 from any archdeaconry

Lay Vacancies

2 from any archdeaconry

Supplemental List: Yes