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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.

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 Newsfeed BISHOP DORRIEN IS ENTHRONED

BISHOP DORRIEN IS ENTHRONED

St Davids news Posted: 3 February 2024

The new Bishop of St Davids was enthroned today [February 3rd] at a special service in St Davids Cathedral, attended by 700 people.

The service began with Bishop Dorrien approaching the West Door of the cathedral and knocking three times, to be admitted by the Dean and Chapter, to whom his Mandate was presented.

The Bishop then received items symbolising aspects of his ministry:

a ring, signifying both authority and his promise of fidelity to church and people;
a cope, or cloak (see Note 2), which has come to signify participation of the worship of the church;
a mitre, the distinctive headwear, which is seen as symbolic of the tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit that rested on the heads of the apostles on the first day of Pentecost;
a crozier, or pastoral staff, like a shepherd’s crook, reflecting Christ’s example as the Good Shepherd

The Bishop was then led to the Episcopal Throne in the Quire and ceremonially installed by the Dean of St Davids, Dr Sarah Rowland Jones. On his return to the Nave, the formalities complete, he was presented to the congregation, including dignitaries and representatives from across the diocese, including the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, the High Sheriff and the Mayor of St Davids.

In his sermon, Bishop Dorrien recalled his first ever visit to the cathedral aged eight. “Little did I imagine that [one day] I would come here as Bishop,” he said.

“Today means so much, a reflection and evaluation of the past, and an anticipation of what the future may bring,”

“As I entered the cathedral today, I was welcomed as one who is called to serve. I realise there is an expectation of me and how I will exercise my ministry.

“I consecrate myself to God today, I pledge myself to you, I promise to serve you in love, and commit this diocese in the name of Christ to bring hope to the dispairing, safety to the frightened, reassurance to the outcast, healing to the broken, a sense of belonging to those who feel dejected and undervalued, support to the strong, and the Gospel of Life to the dying.”

At the end of the service, Bishop Dorrien gave a blessing on the City of St Davids and the Diocese outside the West Door.

A video of Bishop Dorrien describing his regalia is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Slbut1vzqkk

Notes:

The seal ring engraved with the Diocesan crest, and the jewelled crozier, which has images of Christ, St Andrew and St David, were also used by Bishop Basil Jones (1874-1897) and were gifts to him.
The Diocesan Cope and Mitre were those of Bishop David Prosser (1920-1950), who went on to become the third Archbishop of Wales. The cope bears the Diocesan crest, and the mitre is the ‘precious’ mitre which is decorated with semi-precious stones.
Two pieces of music, the Bishop’s Fanfare and the Episcopal March, were written especially for the service by the acclaimed Welsh composer Meiron Wynn Jones (b. 1972) and commissioned by the Friends of St Davids Cathedral.