Adroddiad Ymweliad â Chadeirlan Bangor
Ym mis Hydref 2024, mewn ymateb i bryderon a gafodd eu dwyn i'w sylw, comisiynodd Archesgob Cymru, Y Parchedicaf Andrew John, ymweliad ag Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor ac adolygiad gan Thirtyone:eight, corff allanol sy’n arbenigo mewn cyngor ar ddiogelu mewn cyd-destunau eglwysig.
Mae’r broses adrodd bellach wedi dod i ben ac mae’r crynodebau o’r adroddiadau canlynol wedi’u rhyddhau’n gyhoeddus, ac ar gael isod.
Rydym yn ddiolchgar i bawb a gyfrannodd at y broses ofalus a weddïgar hon. Mae’r adroddiadau’n nodi’r camau nesaf a fydd yn cael eu cymryd.
Datganiad gan Archesgob Cymru, y Parchedicaf Andrew John
Yn ystod yr hydref y llynedd, comisiynais ddau ddarn o waith mewn cysylltiad ag Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor. Ymweliad oedd y darn cyntaf, a'r ail ddarn oedd archwiliad diogelu gan y sefydliad annibynnol thirtyone:eight. Gofynnais i'r rhai a gynhaliodd yr ymarferion hyn ar fy rhan gynnal adolygiad trylwyr o ansawdd bywyd, ffydd, disgyblaeth, ymddygiad a diwylliant yr Eglwys Gadeiriol.
Gwnaeth y rhai a ymgymerodd â'r gwaith hwn weithredu ar yr amod na fyddai unrhyw wybodaeth sensitif a phersonol a allai gael ei datgelu gan gyfranogwyr (gan gynnwys datgeliadau diogelu) yn cael ei rhyddhau i'r parth cyhoeddus. Pwrpas hyn oedd i roi hyder i unrhyw un a gymerodd ran. Yn unol â’u dymuniad am gyfrinachedd, yr wyf felly yn rhyddhau heddiw adroddiadau cryno a baratowyd gan yr adolygwyr, ynghyd â'u hargymhellion yn llawn.
Mae'n amlwg bod cynnydd mawr wedi'i wneud yn ein heglwys gadeiriol yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Rydym wedi gweld ffrwyth gwaith caled: mwy o bobl yn mynychu addoliad, mwy o addoli dwyieithog, proffil cyhoeddus uwch a bywyd cerddorol mwy safonol. Mae'r rhain yn arwyddion o fywiogrwydd ac o dwf y mae’n iawn inni ei ddathlu. Ond rydym hefyd yn gwybod nad yw twf yn ymwneud â'r hyn sy'n weladwy yn unig - mae'n ymwneud â'r hyn sy'n wir, yn gyfiawn, ac yn ddiogel wrth wraidd ein bywyd cyffredin.
Nododd yr adolygwyr rai pryderon yr oedd angen mynd i'r afael â nhw. Gyda'i gilydd, mae’r adroddiadau yn tynnu sylw at fannau lle mae angen inni wneud yn well er mwyn sicrhau bod yr eglwys gadeiriol yn wirioneddol ddiogel, yn gynhwysol, yn cael ei llywodraethu'n dda ac yn ffynnu.
Fel yr adroddwyd i'r adolygwyr, y pryderon hyn oedd:
- Arferion diogelu nad oedd yn bodloni'r safonau a ddisgwylir ar draws yr Eglwys yng Nghymru.
- Arferion rheoli oedd yn ddiffygiol o ran tryloywder a chywirdeb, gyda rhai penodiadau wedi'u gwneud heb waith papur priodol, gyda threfniadau goruchwylio annigonol a phryderon y gall rhywrai gael eu cau allan oherwydd ffafriaeth.
- Rheolaethau ariannol gwan, llinellau adrodd aneglur, a phenderfyniadau gwariant nad oeddent yn cael eu craffu'n ddigonol.
- Ymddygiad mewn rhai meysydd— yn ymwneud â’r defnydd o alcohol ac ymddygiad rhywiol — nad oedd yn adlewyrchu'r safonau proffesiynol a ddisgwylir mewn eglwys Gristnogol.
- Sylwadau personol, mewn person ac ar-lein, a achosodd boen a rhaniadau.
Rwy'n cydnabod bod y canfyddiadau hyn yn anodd eu clywed—ond mae'n rhaid eu hwynebu os ydym am symud ymlaen gyda didwylledd.
Cyn i mi amlinellu fy ymateb, gadewch imi dalu teyrnged i'r rhai a gymerodd ran yn y ddwy broses. Rwyf wedi gwrando'n ofalus ar y rhai a ddaeth ymlaen ac rwyf am anrhydeddu eu gonestrwydd a'u dewrder. Diolch hefyd i'r rhai a gynhaliodd yr ymweliad a'r archwiliad am eu gwaith cydwybodol a sensitif.
Bydd yr ymateb yn bennaf yn nwylo dau grŵp. Y cyntaf yw Grŵp Gweithredu, dan gadeiryddiaeth yr Archddiacon David Parry, a fydd yn gyfrifol am weithredu argymhellion y ddau adroddiad yn llawn. Rwyf wedi gofyn i'r gwaith hwn gael ei gwblhau erbyn 4 Awst, tri mis o heddiw.
Yr ail grŵp yw Bwrdd Goruchwylio dan gadeiryddiaeth yr Athro Medwin Hughes. Eu rôl fydd goruchwylio a chraffu ar waith y Grŵp Gweithredu a chefnogi’r Deon newydd. Bydd y broses o recriwtio Deon newydd yn dechrau yfory. Bydd copïau o gylch gorchwyl y ddau grŵp ar gael.
Ar yr un pryd, rydw i eisoes yn myfyrio ar yr hyn y mae'n rhaid i mi ei ddysgu o'r broses hon—nid yn unig fel arweinydd, ond fel cyd-bererin. Mae'r alwad i ffurfiant gydol oes yn un yr ydym i gyd yn ei rhannu, ac rwy'n parhau i fod yn ymrwymedig i gerdded y llwybr hwnnw gyda gostyngeiddrwydd. Byddwn yn ymrwymo i'r gwaith o atgyweirio, o ailadeiladu ymddiriedaeth a chreu diwylliant iachach - gyda'n gilydd.
Er bod hwn wedi bod yn gyfnod sobreiddiol, mae hefyd yn cynnig cyfle i ni newid. Bydd yn golygu gwaith caled, ond gall hefyd ddod â iachâd, ac nid ydym yn gwneud hyn ar ein pen ein hunain. Fel Cristnogion, rydyn ni'n gwybod ein bod ni'n bobl sydd angen edifeirwch a gobaith. Rydym yn ymwybodol o’n diffygion dynol - ond rydym hefyd yn ymwybodol o ras y Duw sy'n rhannu ein dynoliaeth, sy’n deall ein gwendidau ac sy’n ein nerthu i fod y math o Eglwys y mae Ef am inni fod.
Datganiad ychwanegol ar Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor
Cyfarfu'r Cabidwl, corff ymddiriedolwyr yr Eglwys Gadeiriol, ddydd Llun, wythnos ar ôl cyhoeddi dau adroddiad a gomisiynwyd gan Archesgob Cymru, Andrew John, ar ôl i bryderon gael eu dwyn i'w sylw.
Mewn ymateb i'r pryderon hyn, comisiynodd yr Archesgob Ymweliad a gynhaliwyd gan y cyn Archddiacon Mike Komor a'r cyn Ddeon ac Archddiacon Chris Potter, ynghyd ag adolygiad diogelu gan y sefydliad annibynnol thirtyone:eight, sy'n arbenigo mewn cyngor diogelu mewn lleoliadau eglwysig.
Cyhoeddwyd crynodeb o'r ddau adolygiad ar Fai 4ydd ac maent ar gael ar wefannau Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor, Esgobaeth Bangor a'r Eglwys yng Nghymru.
Mae'r adroddiadau yn tynnu sylw at nifer o ddiffygion ac yn nodi nifer o welliannau angenrheidiol. Mewn ymateb, mae'r Archesgob wedi sefydlu Grŵp Gweithredu i sicrhau bod yr argymhellion yn cael eu gweithredu'n brydlon ac yn benderfynol. Yn ogystal, mae wedi comisiynu Bwrdd Goruchwylio wedi'i gadeirio'n allanol er mwyn arfer goruchwyliaeth gyffredinol o'r broses gyflawni yn unol ag amserlen benodol.
Cyfarfu Cabidwl y Gadeirlan ddydd Llun i gytuno ar gylch gorchwyl y Grŵp Gweithredu. Mae'r rhain ynghyd â thelerau gorchwyl y Bwrdd Goruchwylio bellach ar gael ar wefannau Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor, Esgobaeth Bangor, a'r Eglwys yng Nghymru. Mae pob dogfen cylch gorchwyl yn cynnwys enwau'r rhai a fydd yn aelodau o'r grwpiau hyn. Mae hyn yn dilyn pum Adroddiad Digwyddiadau Difrifol a anfonwyd at y Comisiwn Elusennau mewn perthynas ag Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor yn 2024. Mae pedwar o'r rhain yn ymwneud â diogelu: mae tri bellach wedi'u cau. Mae'r adroddiad sy'n weddill yn parhau i fod ar agor gan mai comisiynu a chynnal y broses Ymweld/ Diogelu oedd un o'r ymatebion angenrheidiol. Mae'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf wedi ei hanfon at y Comisiwn ar ôl cyhoeddi Crynodebau yr Adroddiad a byddwn yn hysbysu’r Comisiwn ymhellach ar y modd y mae’r argymhellion yn cael eu gweithredu. Roedd y pumed adroddiad yn ymwneud â mater ariannol ac fe gafodd ei gau gan y Comisiwn ym mis Mawrth eleni.
Yn y cyfarfod ddydd Llun, trafododd Cabidwl yr Eglwys Gadeiriol weithdrefnau a’r broses o gadw cofnodion ariannol. O ganlyniad i'r drafodaeth hon, penderfynodd y dylid anfon Adroddiad Digwyddiad Difrifol at y Comisiwn Elusennau.
Dywedodd llefarydd ar ran Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor: "Mae Cabidwl yr Eglwys Gadeiriol yn cymryd eu cyfrifoldebau am lywodraethu da o ddifrif iawn ac wedi penderfynu, o ystyried gwybodaeth sydd wedi dod i'w sylw, y dylid anfon Adroddiad Digwyddiad Difrifol at y Comisiwn Elusennau. Er na allwn ddarparu sylwebaeth barhaus ar yr achos unigol, byddwn yn gweithio gyda'r Comisiwn Elusennau i sicrhau bod y mater yn cael ei ddatrys cyn gynted â phosibl a bod unrhyw welliannau sydd angen eu gwneud yn ein gweithdrefnau yn cael eu rhoi ar waith heb oedi."
Meddai Archesgob Cymru:
"Rwy’n ddiolchgar am y gwaith y mae'r Cabidwl yn ei wneud i gymryd y camau angenrheidiol i ddod â newid parhaol. Hoffwn ddiolch i'r rhai sydd wedi cytuno i wasanaethu ar y Grŵp Gweithredu a'r Bwrdd Goruchwylio, ac i fynegi gwerthfawrogiad o'r gefnogaeth yr ydym wedi'i dderbyn gan Gorff Cynrychioliadol yr Eglwys yng Nghymru.
"Mae'n amlwg eisoes o'r camau sydd wedi'u cymryd hyd yma y bydd hyn yn broses gadarn a fydd yn cynnwys newidiadau manwl ac a fydd yn atebol i graffu allanol. Mae pawb sy'n cymryd rhan wedi ymrwymo i gyfathrebu a diweddariadau rheolaidd fel y gellir bwrw ymlaen â'r newidiadau mewn ffordd glir a chadarnhaol."
Datganiad Cynnydd gan y Bwrdd Goruchwylio - 16 Mehefin 2025
Cynhaliwyd cyfarfod ffurfiol cyntaf y Bwrdd Goruchwylio ar 16 Mehefin 2025. Nodwyd y cylch gorchwyl a gytunwyd. Derbyniodd yr aelodau adroddiad diweddaru llawn gan yr Archddiacon Parry ar waith Canolfan yr Eglwys Gadeiriol a'r Grŵp Gweithredu. Cydnabuwyd y gwaith sylweddol a wnaed o dan ei arweinyddiaeth.
Cafodd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio cyflwyniad cychwynnol i'r ddau adroddiad a gomisiynwyd. Cytunwyd y byddai adolygiad mwy llawn o'r argymhellion yn cael ei ystyried yn y cyfarfod nesaf. Roedd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio yn glir yn ei safbwynt bod tryloywder yn egwyddor allweddol y dylid ei dangos drwy gydol y broses ymgysylltu hon. Cytunwyd y byddai'r Bwrdd yn cyhoeddi datganiad ffurfiol ar ôl pob cyfarfod i sicrhau'r Eglwys yng Nghymru a'r gymuned ehangach fod proses agored yn cael ei dilyn.
Ystyriwyd fformat a chynnwys yr Adroddiad Cynnydd Gweithredu. Gwnaed argymhellion ynghylch coethi strwythur y ddogfen. Croesawodd yr aelodau'r gwaith cychwynnol a oedd wedi'i wneud a gwerthfawrogi’r drafodaeth agored gyda'r Archddiacon Parry. Cytunwyd y byddai'r Bwrdd Goruchwylio yn cynnal sawl adolygiad 'plymio dwfn' i gefnogi cydweithwyr wrth iddynt fynd i'r afael â'r nifer o themâu a nodwyd yn y ddau adroddiad. Byddai nodi'r themâu hynny'n cael ei gytuno yn y cyfarfod nesaf. Nododd a chroesawodd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio lefel yr ymgysylltiad gan gydweithwyr o Esgobaeth Bangor wrth iddynt ddechrau ar y broses o fynd i'r afael â materion strwythurol a nodwyd yn yr adroddiadau a gomisiynwyd.
Datganiad Cynnydd gan y Bwrdd Goruchwylio - 17 Gorffennaf 2025
Cyfarfu Bwrdd Goruchwylio Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor drwy gynhadledd fideo ar 17 Gorffennaf 2025, dan gadeiryddiaeth yr Athro Medwin Hughes. Agorodd y cyfarfod mewn gweddi a nodwyd ymddeoliad Archesgob Cymru, a fydd yn aros yn Esgob Bangor tan 31 Awst. Byddai'r Coleg Etholiadol yn ymgynnull ar 29 Gorffennaf i ethol olynydd.
Cymeradwyodd y Bwrdd gofnodion ei gyfarfod blaenorol ac ailddatgan ei ymrwymiad i dryloywder, gan gytuno i gyhoeddi datganiadau a chofnodion. Cymeradwywyd datganiad cynnydd drafft i'w gyhoeddi.
Rhannwyd diweddariadau ar ddatganiad diweddar y Corff Cynrychiolwyr a'r gefnogaeth barhaus i Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor, gan gynnwys Adnoddau Dynol, llywodraethu, a diogelu.
Adroddodd yr Archddiacon David Parry ar gynnydd y Grŵp Gweithredu. Penodwyd y Parchedig Ganon Dr Manon James yn Ddeon Bangor a bydd yn ymuno â chyfarfodydd y Bwrdd yn y dyfodol.
Adolygodd y Bwrdd bolisïau drafft a phwysleisiodd gysondeb a thrylwyredd. Canmolodd ymdrechion y Grŵp Gweithredu a thynnodd sylw at bwysigrwydd trawsnewid diwylliant.
Bydd y cyfarfod nesaf yn canolbwyntio ar ddiogelu a diwylliant, gyda thrafodaethau yn y dyfodol ar gyfathrebu ac ymweliad yn yr hydref ag Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor.
Bangor Cathedral Visitation Report
In October 2024, in response to concerns which had been brought to his attention, the Archbishop of Wales, The Most Revd Andrew John, commissioned a visitation of Bangor Cathedral and a review by Thirtyone:eight, an external body that specialises in safeguarding advice in church settings.
The reporting process is now complete and the following summary reports have now been released publicly, and can be accessed below.
We are grateful to all who contributed to this careful and prayerful process. The reports give details of the next steps which will now be taken.
A statement from the Archbishop of Wales, The Most Reverend Andrew John
In the autumn of last year, I commissioned two exercises in connection with Bangor Cathedral. The first of these was a visitation and the second a safeguarding audit by the independent organisation thirtyone:eight. I asked that those who conducted these exercises on my behalf undertake a thorough review of the quality of life, faith, discipline, behaviour and culture of the Cathedral.
Those who undertook these exercises did so on the condition that any sensitive and personal information which might be disclosed by participants (including safeguarding disclosures) would not be released into the public domain. This was to give confidence to anyone who participated. I am upholding their request for confidentiality and therefore releasing today summary reports prepared by the reviewers and their unabridged recommendations.
It is evident that in recent years great progress has been made at our cathedral. We have seen the fruit of hard work: improved attendance, increased bilingual worship, a raised public profile and an enhanced musical life. These are signs of vitality and growth that we rightly celebrate. But we also know that growth is not just about what is visible–it’s about what is true, just, and safe at the heart of our shared life.
The reviewers identified some concerns which needed to be addressed. Taken together, the reports described areas where we needed to do better to ensure that the cathedral is truly safe, inclusive, well-governed and thriving.
As reported to the reviewers, these concerns were:
- A safeguarding approach that did not meet the standards expected across the Church in Wales.
- Management practices that lacked transparency and rigour, with some appointments made without proper paperwork, inadequate oversight arrangements and concerns raised about exclusion due to favouritism.
- Weak financial controls, unclear reporting lines, and spending decisions that were insufficiently scrutinised.
- Conduct in some areas–relating to alcohol use and sexual behaviour–that did not reflect the professional standards expected in a Christian church.
- The presence of hurtful gossip, both in person and online, which caused pain and division.
I acknowledge that these findings are hard to hear–but they must be faced if we are to move forward with integrity.
Before I outline my response, let me firstly pay tribute to those who participated in the two processes. I have listened carefully to those who came forward and I want to honour their honesty and courage. I also thank those who carried out the visitation and the audit for their conscientious and sensitive work.
The response will be primarily in the hands of two groups. The first is an Implementation Group, chaired by Archdeacon David Parry, which will be responsible for implementing, in full, the recommendations from both reports. I have asked that this work be completed by 4th August, three months from today.
The second group is an Oversight Board chaired by Prof Medwin Hughes. Their role will be to oversee and scrutinise the work of the Implementation Group and to support a new Dean. The recruitment of a new Dean will commence tomorrow. Copies of the terms of reference of the two groups will be made available.
In parallel, I have begun reflecting on what I must learn from this process–not only as a leader, but as a fellow pilgrim. The call to lifelong formation is one we all share, and I remain committed to walking that path with humility. We shall commit ourselves to the work of repair, of rebuilding trust and of creating a healthier culture–together.
While this has been a sobering time, it also offers us opportunity for change. It will mean hard work, but it can also bring healing, and we do not do this alone. As Christians, we know that we are people who need repentance and hope. We know our human flaws–but we also know the grace of a God who shares our humanity, understands our weaknesses and strengthens us to become the Church, he calls us to be.
Supplementary statement on Bangor Cathedral
The Chapter, the Cathedral’s trustee body, met on Monday, a week after two reports were published which had been commissioned by the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, after several concerns had been brought to his attention.
In response to these concerns, the Archbishop commissioned a Visitation which was conducted by former Archdeacon Mike Komor and former Dean and Archdeacon Chris Potter, together with a safeguarding audit by the independent organisation thirtyone:eight, which specialises in safeguarding advice in church settings.
Summary reports of both reviews were published on May 4th and are available on the Bangor Cathedral, Diocese of Bangor and Church in Wales websites.
The reports set out a range of shortcomings and identified a number of necessary improvements. In response, the Archbishop has set up an Implementation Group to ensure that the recommendations are acted upon promptly and decisively. In addition, he has commissioned an externally-chaired Oversight Board to exercise overall supervision of the delivery process against a set timetable.
The Cathedral Chapter met on Monday to agree the terms of reference of the Implementation Group. These together with the terms of reference for the Oversight Board are now available on the Bangor Cathedral, Diocese of Bangor and Church in Wales websites. Each terms of reference document contains the names of those who will be members of these groups.
At its meeting on Monday, the Cathedral Chapter discussed financial record keeping and procedures. As a result of this discussion, it decided that a Serious Incident Report should be sent to the Charity Commission. This follows five Serious Incident Reports which were sent to the Charity Commission relating to Bangor Cathedral in 2024. Four of these related to safeguarding: three have been closed. The remaining report remains open as the commissioning and undertaking of the Visitation/safeguarding audit was one of the necessary responses. The Commission has been updated following the publication of the Report Summaries and we will update the Commission further on the implementation of the recommendations. The fifth report related to a financial matter and was closed in March this year.
A spokesperson for Bangor Cathedral said: “The Cathedral Chapter take their responsibilities for good governance very seriously and have decided that, given information which has come to their attention, the Charity Commission should be sent a Serious Incident Report. While we cannot provide ongoing commentary on the individual case, we will be working with the Charity Commission to ensure that the issue is resolved as quickly as possible and that any improvements which need to be made in our procedures are put into place without delay.”
The Archbishop of Wales said:
“I am grateful for the work the Chapter is carrying out to take the necessary steps to bring about lasting change. I want to thank those who have agreed to serve on the Implementation Group and the Oversight Board, and to express my appreciation of the support we have received from the Representative Body of the Church in Wales.
“It is already clear from the steps which have been taken so far that this will be a robust process which will involve detailed changes and which will be accountable to external scrutiny. All who are involved are committed to regular communication and updates so that the changes can be taken forward in a clear and positive way.”
Progress Statement from the Oversight Board - 16 June 2025
The first formal meeting of the Oversight Board took place on 16 June 2025. It noted the terms of reference that had been agreed.
Members received a full update report from Archdeacon Parry on the work of the Cathedral Chapter and the Implementation Group. They acknowledged the significant work undertaken under his leadership.
The Oversight Board received an initial introduction to the two commissioned reports. It was agreed that a fuller review of the recommendations would be considered at the next meeting.
The Oversight Board was clear in its position that transparency was a key principle which should be demonstrated throughout this process of engagement. It was agreed that the Board would issue a formal statement after each meeting to assure the Church in Wales and the wider community that an open process was being followed.
Consideration was given to the format and content of the Implementation Progress Report. Recommendations were made regarding refining the structure of the document. Members welcomed the initial work which had been undertaken and valued the openness of discussion with Archdeacon Parry.
It was agreed that the Oversight Board would undertake several ‘deep dive’ reviews to support colleagues as they addressed the numerous themes identified in the two reports. The identification of such themes would be agreed at the next meeting.
The Oversight Board noted and welcomed the level of engagement by colleagues from the Bangor Diocese as they start on the process of addressing structural issues identified in the commissioned reports.
Progress Statement from the Oversight Board - 17 July 2025
The Bangor Cathedral Oversight Board met via video conference on 17 July 2025, chaired by Professor Medwin Hughes. The meeting opened with prayer and noted the retirement of the Archbishop of Wales, who will remain Bishop of Bangor until 31 August. The Electoral College would convene on 29 July to elect a successor.
The Board approved the minutes of its previous meeting and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, agreeing to publish both statements and minutes. A draft progress statement was endorsed for publication.
Updates were shared on the Representative Body’s recent statement and ongoing support for Bangor Cathedral, including HR, governance, and safeguarding.
Archdeacon David Parry reported on the Implementation Group’s progress. The Reverend Canon Dr Manon James was appointed as Dean of Bangor and will join future Board meetings.
The Board reviewed draft policies and emphasised consistency and thoroughness. It praised the Implementation Group’s efforts and highlighted the importance of cultural transformation.
The next meeting will focus on safeguarding and culture, with future discussions on communications and an autumn visit to Bangor Cathedral.