The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon is one of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales, the Anglican province covering the country of Wales.
Establishment and jurisdiction
- The diocese was created in 1923 following the disestablishment of the Church in Wales from the Church of England (1920) and the subsequent re‑organisation of ecclesiastical boundaries.
- It covers the city and county borough of Swansea, the principal areas of Neath Port Talbot and Powys (historically Brecknockshire), as well as parts of the historic county of Glamorgan.
Cathedral
- The diocesan cathedral is Brecon Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Evangelist, located in the town of Brecon, Powys. The building has medieval origins and was designated a cathedral in 1923 when the diocese was formed.
Episcopal leadership
- The ordinary of the diocese holds the title Bishop of Swansea and Brecon.
- From 2008 until his retirement in 2019, the see was occupied by Bishop John Davies.
- As of the latest publicly available information (2023), the episcopal seat is vacant pending the appointment of a successor.
Administrative structure
- The diocese is subdivided into several archdeaconries and deaneries that group its parishes for pastoral and administrative purposes. Typical deaneries include Gower, Dyffryn, and Brecon, among others.
- The diocesan synod, clergy, and lay representatives meet regularly to oversee mission, ministry, and governance within the diocese.
Affiliations
- The diocese is a constituent member of the Province of Wales, whose primate is the Archbishop of Wales.
- It participates in national and regional Church in Wales initiatives, including education, social outreach, and ecumenical dialogue.
Statistical overview (as reported by the Church in Wales)
- The diocese comprises roughly 70‑80 benefices (parishes), serving a mixed urban and rural population.
- Clergy numbers have been in gradual decline, reflecting broader trends within the Church in Wales, prompting the diocese to emphasise lay leadership and collaborative ministry models.
References
Information drawn from official Church in Wales publications, the diocesan website, and standard reference works on Anglican ecclesiastical structures.
