A New History of the Church in Wales: Governance and Ministry, Theology and Society

Description

This book marks the centenary of the Church in Wales, following its disestablishment in 1920. Part I provides a historical overview: from the Age of the Saints to Victorian times; the disestablishment campaign; Christianity in Wales since 1920; and broad issues faced over the century. Part II explores the constitution, bishops and archbishops, clergy, and laity. Part III examines doctrine, liturgy, rites of passage, and relations with other faith communities. Part IV deals with the church and culture, education, the Welsh language, and social responsibility. Part V discusses the changing images of the Church and its future. Around themes of continuity and change, the book questions assumptions about the Church, including its distinctive theology and Welshness, ecumenical commitment, approach to innovation, and response to challenges posed by the State and wider world in an increasingly pluralist and secularised Welsh society over the century.

Norman Doe is a Professor at Cardiff University Law School. He studied at Cardiff University, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Oxford, and is a barrister. His degrees include a Ph.D. (Cambridge), D.C.L. (Lambeth) and LL.D. (Cambridge). His books include Fundamental Authority in Late Medieval English Law (Cambridge, 1990), Canon Law in the Anglican Communion (1998), Religion and Law in the United Kingdom (with Mark Hill and Russell Sandberg, 2011), Christian Law: Contemporary Principles (Cambridge, 2013), The Legal Architecture of English Cathedrals (2017) and Comparative Religious Law: Judaism, Christianity, Islam (Cambridge, 2018). A visiting professor at Paris University since 1999, he was a visiting fellow at Trinity College Oxford (2011), visiting scholar at Corpus Christi College Oxford (2015), and visiting fellow at Jesus College Oxford (2018), and acted as a consultant on canon law to the Anglican Communion, served on the Lambeth Commission (2003-2004), and is Chancellor of the Diocese of Bangor. He directs the Cardiff LL.M. in canon law.

'... excellent illustrated collection ...' Michael Wheeler, Church Times 'This is a lively collection of essays ... more importantly fresh approaches to the role and mission of the Church in the undoubtedly challenging decades that lie ahead.' David Ceri Jones, Journal of Church and State