Manon Ceridwen James consecrated as first woman Bishop of Bangor

The Rt Revd Dr Manon Ceridwen James has been consecrated as the 82nd Bishop of Bangor and the first woman to hold the role.

The consecration service took place on Saturday 12 September at Newport Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Cherry Vann, who led the service.

During the service, Bishop Manon was anointed and presented with the symbols of a bishop’s ministry: an episcopal ring, pectoral cross, mitre, Bible and pastoral staff.

Originally from Nefyn on the Llŷn Peninsula, she was ordained deacon at Bangor Cathedral in 1994. In 1997, she became one of the first women to be ordained priest in the diocese.

Bishop Manon has served as a parish priest in the dioceses of Bangor and St Asaph and has held diocesan roles in training, education and vocations. At St Asaph, she was Director of Ministry. Before becoming Dean of Bangor Cathedral in October 2025, she was Dean for Initial Ministerial Training at St Padarn’s Institute.

Welcoming Bishop Manon, the Archbishop of Wales said, “Manon is well-known to the people of the diocese, and she will be a huge asset to the diocese and the Province and the Bench of Bishops. We wish her every blessing as she steps into this ministry."

Bishop Manon said, “I feel very privileged to be called to this ministry. I am also deeply grateful as I remember all those people, from my Sunday school teacher onwards, who have nurtured and encouraged me in faith and supported me throughout my life. It was particularly special to be ordained in Newport Cathedral, where I served for a time as Canon Theologian, surrounded by family, friends and colleagues who mean so much to me.

“During the service, we prayed for the strength of the Holy Spirit to equip and sustain me in this ministry. As I respond to this call, I hope it will also be an opportunity for people across the Diocese of Bangor, and beyond, to reflect on their own calling and on what God might be calling us to do together.

"I am excited by the opportunities we have to serve our communities and to share God's love with everyone.”

The service opened with Bishop Timothy Rees’s hymn, ‘Arglwydd, trefni mewn doethineb’ (‘Lord, who in thy perfect wisdom’). Bishop Manon adapted one of its verses to include saints associated with the Diocese of Bangor.

Bishop Manon’s husband read the Old Testament lesson during the service. The sermon was preached by a friend from theological college who has been part of her clergy support group for the past 30 years.

The consecration took place the day after the Church marked the feast of St Deiniol, who founded the monastic community at Bangor Fawr from which the Diocese of Bangor traces its origins.

Bishop Manon will be installed in the bishop’s chair at Bangor Cathedral on Saturday 19 September at 2pm. She will be welcomed by representatives from across the diocese.

The consecration service can be watched on YouTube.