Bishop of Llandaff - Brief History

Brief History

Originally Celtic Christians, the bishops were in communion with Rome from 777 and, since the Reformation of the 1530s, have been members of the Anglican Church in Wales. There is only evidence for the bishops being called 'Bishop of Llandaff' from the early 11th century. Before this, though still ministering to Glamorgan and Gwent, the bishops were called Bishop of Teilo and were almost certainly based at Llandeilo Abbey. The very early bishops were probably based in Ergyng. In medieval records, the bishop is sometimes referred to as the Archbishop of Llandaff. This appears to have been a simple reaction to the claim of St David's to the archiepiscopal title. The current (102nd) Bishop of Llandaff is the Most Reverend Dr Barry Cennydd Morgan; when elected as Bishop in 1999 his official signature was Barry Landav, but once elected Archbishop of Wales in 2003 his Archbishop's signature Barry Cambrensis took precedence. He is supported by the Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, the Right Reverend David Wilbourne.