Conger

The Church in Wales has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the breakdown of the marriage of the Bishop of St. Davids following the call for a formal inquiry endorsed by 23 of his clergy.

A spokesman for the Church in Wales told The Church of England Newspaper “any allegations” of clergy misconduct are “investigated as a matter of course.” In the case of Bishop Carl Cooper, “discussions are being taken with those concerned,” the Archbishop of Wales, Dr. Barry Morgan’s press officer said.

On March 7 a petition prepared by Dr. William Strange, vicar of St Peter’s Carmarthen and Mr. Peter Jones, vicar of Llangennech Llanelli was delivered to Dr. Morgan asking for an investigation of Bishop Cooper.

“The aim of this process would be to establish the facts surrounding the Bishop’s current situation and to take whatever action, if any, proves necessary. This is not a welcome responsibility for any of us but we are convinced that if the Church has established a procedure for such situations it should apply equally to all clergy of whatever rank,” the letter seeking the endorsement of other members of the diocese said.

“Signing this letter is not in any sense to prejudge what the process may determine and decide,” the letter said. “But it is an opportunity to say that where there is a perception of ‘conduct giving just cause for scandal and offence’ the circumstances should be subject to the Church’s investigative and disciplinary procedure.”

Last month the bishop announced that he and his wife of 25 years were separating. The bishop and his wife stated “there is no one else involved on either side.”

However, rumours linking the bishop and his chaplain, the Rev. Mandy Williams-Potter, have circulated in the diocese and were fueled by Mrs. Williams-Potter’s announcement that she was also leaving her husband.

The bishop’s wife told the Daily Telegraph last week the simultaneous separations were a “coincidence. People jump to the wrong conclusions, they always do,” Mrs. Cooper said.

The clergy petition does not assert any wrong doing on the bishop’s part, however, Dr. Strange noted “It is a very difficult situation and we are trying to find the right way to deal with it.”

Under Chapter 11 article 43 of the Church in Wales’ constitution, a charge of misconduct made against a bishop “shall be referred to the Special Provincial Court, consisting of the Archbishop, the remaining Diocesan Bishops and the Judges of the Provincial Court.”

The Special Provincial Court has the power to remove a bishop, but “a bishop shall not be found guilty of any offence unless the Archbishop and the majority of the Diocesan Bishops of the Church in Wales, assembled in Synod, shall be of opinion that the bishop is guilty of such offence, in which event the Archbishop shall pronounce sentence.”