New Senedd, new voices, same shared responsibilities

St David’s Day Message to the Senedd from the Bishops of the Church in Wales.

Each year, as part of the St David’s Day celebrations, a group of young people journey from St Davids to deliver a message to our elected representatives in the Senedd.

Traditionally, the message has come from the Bishop of St Davids, although in recent years this has been widened to include all the bishops of the Church in Wales.

Recently, also, the task of delivering the message has fallen to pupils from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, the 3-16 Church in Wales Voluntary Aided school that serves the St Davids peninsula and has close connections to the Patron Saint and his cathedral.

This year, because St Davids Day fell on a Sunday, when the Senedd isn’t sitting, the ceremony was postponed until the next day. And the message was delivered to the First Minister, Eluned Morgan, who received it in person.

The message in full:

On this day we give thanks for the nation and people of Wales, for all who call this land home, and for the shared history, language and culture that shape us. As spring begins to stir, and daffodils bloom we are reminded of new life and renewal, and above all, of the hope and rebirth that Jesus Christ offers, not only to Wales, but to the whole world.

As we look at Wales today, we see a generous nation. We see a people who care deeply about community, about justice, about the memory of those that came before us, and the lives of those that will come after. We can take pride in who we are, while still having the ambition to become more than we are now.

In a few months’ time, the people of Wales will have the opportunity to vote in the elections for a Senedd that will be elected in a new way, and with a larger membership. New circumstances will bring new voices and new perspectives to this ancient land.

For those who are eligible to vote, we urge that they use this precious and hard-won privilege. For those who are campaigning, we urge that they do so fairly and respectfully, recognising our differences, but never forgetting our shared responsibility for the common good. When the time comes, and new Senedd Members take their places, let us hold them in our prayers, that the next Government, whatever form it takes, may act with wisdom, humility and courage in the service of all the people of Wales.

On this St David’s Day, may we renew our commitment to one another, and may God bless Wales today, and always.