Bangor, the oldest continuous see in Britain, founded more than 1,450 years ago, could now be without a bishop for months or even years while the five other diocesan bishops decide what to do.

Insiders were last night speculating that the diocese could even be merged with neighbouring St Asaph, placing its 70 parishes in the care of the Right Rev John Davies.

I do know that as clergy on the front lines of conversation and discussion, some may have sought your advice, counsel, or opinion on this topic of current discussion. Please know of my support for your ministry, especially during these trying and somewhat difficult times.

In some cases these may be couples of the same sex, and in some cases these may be couples for whom marriage is not an appropriate or desirable step. Of these couples, those who are 65 years of age and older are 266,000 in number. As many of you know, our Diocese has a history of blessing relationships, and some of our congregarions and clergy have developed matierals that might enrich this effort. If you have such materials in your files, the Task Force would be happy to receive them.

We remember with thanksgiving the first provision of emergency pastoral
care when in November of 2000, two Anglican primates and a diocesan
bishop confirmed 85 individuals at the Church of the Good Shepherd in
Rosemont, Pennsylvania. That event and Sunday's event are not to be
viewed as acts of provocation, but as responses to the on-going crisis
of faith and authority that has plagued the church for