Bishop encourages Welsh politicians to mark St David's Day

The Bishop of St Davids, the Rt Rev Wyn Evans, is sending a message to Welsh politicians urging them to mark St David's Day this Sunday.

The message is being delivered by pilgrims who will set off from St Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire on Saturday morning and head to the Senedd, home of the Welsh National Assembly in Cardiff Bay.

On their way to Cardiff, the pilgrims will join a civic service at St Mary’s Church in Swansea with the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, the Rt Rev John Davies.

In his message to politicians, Bishop Evans pointed to the example set by St David to inspire Wales in the midst of recession.

“It is a particular pleasure and a privilege for me to extend my greetings and best wishes to the Senedd on St David’s Day 2009 both on behalf of the Diocese of St Davids and St Davids Cathedral and, for the first time as bishop, on my own behalf. I sincerely hope that Dewi’s example in his discipline and perseverance will inspire us in contemporary Wales to cope in these times of recession,” he said.

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, will preach at the Wales National St David’s Day service in Cardiff on Sunday. His sermon on St David and national identity will be heard the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, politicians and representatives of other religions.

The Archbishop and the pilgrims from St Davids will join the St David’s Day Parade through Cardiff on Sunday.

Churches across Wales will hold services to celebrate St David, the Patron Saint of Wales. In St Davids Cathedral, Bishop Evans will preach the morning service, before blessing the city at the City Cross in the afternoon. There will be a procession to the shrine of St David and an “exposition” of the relics at 6pm.


On the web: For more information, visit www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk