Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

This Friday will see two new bishops being consecrated at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff - Ven Anthony Crockett is to serve as the next Bishop of Bangor, while Rev Canon Dr David Yeoman will serve as Assistant Bishop in the diocese of Llandaff. At present Llandaff Cathedral is the metropolitical Cathedral of the Church in Wales, since Most Rev Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, is also Bishop of the diocese of Llandaff.

Fifty-eight year old Phillip Anthony Crockett was ordained in 1971 and served curacies in Aberdare and in the parish of Whitchurch in Cardiff. He was Vicar of Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, Llanafan and Llanwnnws between 1978 and 1986 and also Ysbyty Ystwyth between 1984 and 1986. He was Rector of Dowlais near Merthyr Tudful between 1986 and 1991 and was then appointed to the Provincial Post of Secretary of the Board of Ministry - a post he held until 1999, when he was appointed to his present post of Archdeacon of Carmarthen and Vicar of Cynwyl Elfed, Cwm Duad and Newchurch. Welsh speaking Anthony is married to Caroline, who is herself currently undergoing theological training at St Michael's Theological College, Llandaff, Cardiff. He is the father of three grown-up children.

At the time of his election, Ven. Anthony Crockett said:

"Now that the appointment has been made, and I have had a chance for it all to sink in, I look forward eagerly to going to Bangor, to be with old friends and to make new ones, to build on foundations already laid by others, and to work with clergy and lay people for the spread of God's Kingdom in that ancient Diocese. I am very aware of my weaknesses, but there is no bishop in Christ's Church who undertakes his work in his own strength, but with God's help and grace. I now ask everyone to pray for me and my wife as we prepare for this daunting and exciting task to which I have been called."

Rev Canon Dr David Yeoman served curacies in the parishes of Caerphilly and Cardiff. Between 1976 and 1981 he was Vicar of Ystrad Rhondda and between 1981 and 1996 Vicar of Mountain Ash. Since then he has been Rector of Coity with Nolton parish in Bridgend. Canon Yeoman has also held training responsibilities within the diocese and has been Chaplain at the Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend since 1996. As well as becoming Assistant Bishop in the diocese of Llandaff, Canon David Yeoman will also become the Archdeacon of Morgannwg following the retirement of the present Archdeacon, Ven Martin Williams, in September. David is married and has two adult children.

When his appointment was announced, Canon Yeoman said:

"I am looking forward very much to this new challenge, while at the same time feeling somewhat humbled by the faith placed in me by Archbishop Barry, the Bishop of Llandaff. Having been a parish priest for 34 years, I do see this new development as an opportunity to extend the pastoral base of my ministry and being able to minister to a greater extent to my fellow clergy within the diocese of Llandaff. The Clergy are the carers in each parish and I look forward to sharing with the Archbishop in caring for them."

"It will obviously be difficult to leave direct parish life and particularly to leave my present parish in Bridgend where the parishioners have been so supportive of my ministry over the years. I am heartened however by their assurances that they will continue supporting my wife and myself in their prayers."

The consecration service will take place at 14:30 on Friday 16th July 2004 at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.