Manon James installed as Bangor's first woman bishop

The Rt Revd Dr Manon Ceridwen James has been installed as the first woman Bishop of Bangor and the 82nd person to hold the office. The service at Bangor Cathedral on Saturday marked the formal start of her public ministry in the diocese.

Bishop Manon entered through the cathedral's west door after striking it three times with the diocesan crozier. Bethan Evans welcomed her on behalf of young people across the diocese before the new bishop was placed in the bishop's seat.

A bilingual service

The service included a new hymn by Welsh poet Siôn Aled, music from the medieval Bangor Pontifical and singing by pupils from Ysgol Llandwrog. Bishop Manon preached in Welsh and English.

In her sermon, she described a bishop as "not a boss but a connector" and said the diocese would need to work together over decisions concerning ministry, church buildings and priorities.

From Nefyn to Bangor

Bishop Manon grew up in Nefyn on the Llŷn peninsula. She was ordained as a deacon at Bangor Cathedral in 1994 and was among the first women ordained as priests in the diocese in 1997.

Her previous roles include parish ministry in the Bangor and St Asaph dioceses, Director of Ministry at St Padarn's Institute and Dean of Bangor Cathedral from October 2025. She was elected Bishop of Bangor in June and consecrated at Newport Cathedral on 12 September.

The Church in Wales says giving Welsh its proper place in a bilingual church is one of her priorities. After the installation, the Wrexham AFC supporter was presented with a club shirt carrying the word Esgob and the number one.