Ym mis Hydref 2024, comisiynwyd ymweliad ag Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor, ynghyd ag adolygiad diogelu gan Thirtyone:eight, sefydliad allanol sy'n arbenigo mewn cyngor diogelu mewn lleoliadau eglwysig.
Rhyddhawyd yr adroddiadau cryno canlynol yn gyhoeddus:
Sefydlwyd dau grŵp i fwrw ymlaen ag argymhellion yr adroddiadau:
- Grŵp Gweithredu dan gadeiryddiaeth yr Archddiacon David Parry, sy'n gyfrifol am weithredu, yn llawn, argymhellion y ddau adroddiad
- Bwrdd Goruchwylio dan gadeiryddiaeth yr Athro Medwin Hughes, a fydd yn goruchwylio ac yn craffu ar waith y Grŵp Gweithredu ac yn cefnogi Deon Bangor.
Adroddiadau cynnydd a chofnodion cyfarfodydd
Mae'r Bwrdd Goruchwylio yn cyfarfod yn rheolaidd ac yn cyhoeddi diweddariad byr ar y cynnydd ar ôl pob cyfarfod. Mae'r diweddariadau hyn yn crynhoi'r meysydd trafod allweddol, penderfyniadau a wnaed a'r camau y cytunwyd arnynt, gyda chofnodion llawn ar gael i'w lawrlwytho.
Cyfarfod 16 Mehefin 2025
Cynhaliwyd cyfarfod ffurfiol cyntaf y Bwrdd Goruchwylio ar 16 Mehefin 2025. Nodwyd y cylch gorchwyl a gytunwyd. Derbyniodd yr aelodau adroddiad diweddaru llawn gan yr Archddiacon Parry ar waith Canolfan yr Eglwys Gadeiriol a’r Grŵp Gweithredu. Cydnabuwyd y gwaith sylweddol a wnaed o dan ei arweinyddiaeth.
Cafodd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio gyflwyniad cychwynnol i’r ddau adroddiad a gomisiynwyd. Cytunwyd y byddai adolygiad mwy llawn o’r argymhellion yn cael ei ystyried yn y cyfarfod nesaf. Roedd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio yn glir yn ei safbwynt bod tryloywder yn egwyddor allweddol y dylid ei dangos drwy gydol y broses ymgysylltu hon. Cytunwyd y byddai’r Bwrdd yn cyhoeddi datganiad ffurfiol ar ôl pob cyfarfod i sicrhau’r Eglwys yng Nghymru a’r gymuned ehangach fod proses agored yn cael ei dilyn.
Ystyriwyd fformat a chynnwys yr Adroddiad Cynnydd Gweithredu. Gwnaed argymhellion ynghylch coethi strwythur y ddogfen. Croesawodd yr aelodau’r gwaith cychwynnol a oedd wedi’i wneud a gwerthfawrogi’r drafodaeth agored gyda’r Archddiacon Parry.
Cytunwyd y byddai’r Bwrdd Goruchwylio yn cynnal sawl adolygiad ‘plymio dwfn’ i gefnogi cydweithwyr wrth iddynt fynd i’r afael â’r nifer o themâu a nodwyd yn y ddau adroddiad. Byddai nodi’r themâu hynny’n cael ei gytuno yn y cyfarfod nesaf.
Nododd a chroesawodd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio lefel yr ymgysylltiad gan gydweithwyr o Esgobaeth Bangor wrth iddynt ddechrau ar y broses o fynd i’r afael â materion strwythurol a nodwyd yn yr adroddiadau a gomisiynwyd.
Carfarfod ar 17 Gorffennaf 2025
Cyfarfu Bwrdd Goruchwylio Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor drwy gynhadledd fideo ar 17 Gorffennaf 2025, dan gadeiryddiaeth yr Athro Medwin Hughes. Agorodd y cyfarfod mewn gweddi a nodwyd ymddeoliad Archesgob Cymru, a fydd yn aros yn Esgob Bangor tan 31 Awst. Byddai’r Coleg Etholiadol yn ymgynnull ar 29 Gorffennaf i ethol olynydd.
Cymeradwyodd y Bwrdd gofnodion ei gyfarfod blaenorol ac ailddatgan ei ymrwymiad i dryloywder, gan gytuno i gyhoeddi datganiadau a chofnodion. Cymeradwywyd datganiad cynnydd drafft i’w gyhoeddi.
Rhannwyd diweddariadau ar ddatganiad diweddar y Corff Cynrychiolwyr a’r gefnogaeth barhaus i Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor, gan gynnwys Adnoddau Dynol, llywodraethu, a diogelu.
Adroddodd yr Archddiacon David Parry ar gynnydd y Grŵp Gweithredu. Penodwyd y Parchedig Ganon Dr Manon James yn Ddeon Bangor a bydd yn ymuno â chyfarfodydd y Bwrdd yn y dyfodol.
Adolygodd y Bwrdd bolisïau drafft a phwysleisiodd gysondeb a thrylwyredd. Canmolodd ymdrechion y Grŵp Gweithredu a thynnodd sylw at bwysigrwydd trawsnewid diwylliant.
Bydd y cyfarfod nesaf yn canolbwyntio ar ddiogelu a diwylliant, gyda thrafodaethau yn y dyfodol ar gyfathrebu ac ymweliad yn yr hydref ag Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor.
Cyfarfod 6 Hydref 2025
Roedd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio wedi cyfarfod yn Gadeirlan Bangor drwy fideo-gynadledda ar 6 Hydref 2025 ac ymunodd y Deon Manon yn ei chyfarfod cyntaf o'r Bwrdd Goruchwylio fel Deon. Roedd y Bwrdd hefyd yn gallu croesawu'r Archesgob Cherry i'w chyfarfod cyntaf o'r Bwrdd Goruchwylio.
Rhoddodd Deon Manon drosolwg i'r Bwrdd Goruchwylio o'i mis cyntaf yn y swydd, gan amlinellu heriau'r rôl, a drafodwyd gan y Bwrdd Goruchwylio. Cyflwynodd y Deon werthusiad clir a gonest iawn o raddfa'r materion y bu'n rhaid mynd i'r afael â nhw er mwyn trawsnewid yr ymgysylltiad o fewn yr Eglwys Gadeiriol. Roedd materion AD sylweddol wedi'u nodi, ac roedd cydweithwyr yn ymwneud â delio â nifer o faterion strategol. Cyflwynwyd gwybodaeth am newid ychwanegol a wnaed o fewn y DBF.
Mae'r Bwrdd Goruchwylio yn ymwybodol bod gwaith mewn perthynas â diwylliant yr Eglwys yng Nghymru yn cael ei ystyried gan y Corff Llywodraethol, rhywbeth y byddai'r Bwrdd am ei ganmol. Mae'r Bwrdd yn ymwybodol bod gwelliannau i'r diwylliant gwaith yn Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor yn waith ar y gweill ac mae'n cefnogi'r Deon, y Cabidwl ac eraill sy'n ymwneud â bywyd yr eglwys gadeiriol yn eu hymdrechion i geisio'r gwelliannau hyn. Bydd yr ymdrechion hyn yn gofyn am ymrwymiad hirdymor ond byddant yn drawsnewidiol i bawb sy'n gweithio i hyrwyddo cenhadaeth a gweinidogaeth yr eglwys gadeiriol.
Cafodd y Bwrdd ddiweddariad llawn ar y cynllun gweithredu a thrafododd nifer o faterion sy'n ymwneud â diogelu, cyfathrebu a datblygu polisi.
Cyflwynodd yr Archesgob adroddiad llawn ar ei hymgysylltiad presennol â'r esgobaeth a'r eglwys gadeiriol. Cafodd y Bwrdd gyfle i fyfyrio ar faterion strategol ehangach fel yr oeddent yn ymwneud â'r eglwys gadeiriol a chynaliadwyedd yr esgobaeth yn y dyfodol. Mae'r Bwrdd Goruchwylio yn ymwybodol iawn o'r effaith anodd y mae'r sefyllfa bresennol yn parhau i'w chael ar staff yr esgobaeth a'r eglwys gadeiriol ac roedd yn ddiolchgar am y gefnogaeth a ddarperir gan wahanol staff taleithiol a chydweithwyr o esgobaeth Trefynwy.
Roedd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio yn fodlon bod cynnydd yn cael ei gyflawni a bod y Deon wedi llwyddo i ysgogi nifer o ddatblygiadau allweddol yn ystod ei wythnosau cyntaf yn y swydd. Teimlwyd bod angen mwy o waith i feithrin ymddiriedaeth a hyder rhwng y gwahanol randdeiliaid ar draws yr esgobaeth ac roedd yr Archesgob a'r Deon yn ymwybodol iawn o bwysigrwydd modelu arfer gorau wrth hyrwyddo cydweithredu ac ymgysylltu ar y cyd o fewn yr eglwys gadeiriol.
Cyfarfod 3 Tachwedd 2025
Roedd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio wedi cyfarfod yn Gadeirlan Bangor â'r Deon a'r Archesgob ar 3 Tachwedd 2025 a derbyniodd ei ddiweddariad llawn arferol ar y cynllun gweithredu, gan drafod nifer o faterion sy'n codi o hynny.
Rhoddodd y Deon y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Bwrdd Goruchwylio ar waith diweddar y Grŵp Gweithredu ac ar fywyd yn yr eglwys gadeiriol. Roedd y Bwrdd yn falch o glywed bod ymdeimlad o sefydlogrwydd yn dychwelyd i'r eglwys gadeiriol, a bod y Deon yn gweithio'n galed i sicrhau bod y tôn ymgysylltu – mewn deunyddiau ysgrifenedig ac mewn rhyngweithiadau personol – yn gadarnhaol. Roedd datblygu diwylliant cadarnhaol yn faes gwaith allweddol ac mae'r Bwrdd goruchwylio yn cynorthwyo gyda threfnu gweithdy yn yr eglwys gadeiriol yn y flwyddyn newydd i archwilio diwylliant ac ymddygiad.
Roedd heriau'n parhau, gan gynnwys gyda rhai achosion parhaus a chymhleth sy'n gysylltiedig ag adnoddau dynol. Roedd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio yn falch o gwrdd â'r Cynghorydd Adnoddau Dynol Rhanbarthol ar gyfer gogledd Cymru i gael gwybod am y materion hyn.
Roedd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio wedi cytuno i wneud cyfathrebu yn faes ffocws yn y cyfarfod hwn ac ymunodd y Cyfarwyddwr Cenhadaeth a Strategaeth, sydd â goruchwylio materion sy'n gysylltiedig â chyfathrebu taleithiol, a derbyniodd ddiweddariad manwl o'r gwaith mewn perthynas ag esgobaeth Bangor dros yr wyth mis diwethaf. Cydnabuwyd pwysigrwydd cyfathrebu fel offeryn i helpu i gryfhau'r eglwys gadeiriol ac anogwyd buddsoddiad yn y maes hwn.
Cafodd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio ei friffio ar y gwaith cychwynnol ar ddiweddaru cyfansoddiad yr eglwys gadeiriol, gwaith a fyddai'n allweddol i sicrhau bod y strwythur llywodraethu mwyaf priodol ar waith. Yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf roedd Cyfansoddiad yr Eglwys yng Nghymru wedi'i ddiweddaru i ganiatáu i eglwysi cadeiriol ddatblygu fframweithiau cyfansoddiadol a oedd fwyaf priodol i'w hamgylchiadau penodol, o fewn paramedrau, ac roedd y Bwrdd Goruchwylio yn awyddus i annog adolygu cyfansoddiad Cadeirlan Bangor i sicrhau ei fod yn optimaidd ac yn cefnogi sgyrsiau a oedd yn dechrau digwydd i ddod â hyn yn unol ag eglwysi cadeiriol eraill yr Eglwys yng Nghymru.
In October 2024, a visitation of Bangor Cathedral, together with a safeguarding review by Thirtyone:eight, an external organisation specialising in safeguarding advice in church settings, was commissioned.
The following summary reports were released publicly:
Two groups were established to take forward the reports’ recommendations:
- An Implementation Group chaired by Archdeacon David Parry, which is responsible for implementing, in full, the recommendations from both reports.
- An Oversight Board chaired by Prof Medwin Hughes, which will oversee and scrutinise the work of the Implementation Group and support the Dean of Bangor.
Progress reports and meeting minutes
The Oversight Board meets regularly and publishes a short progress update following each meeting. These updates summarise the key areas of discussion, decisions made, and actions agreed, with full minutes available to download.
Meeting on 16 June 2025
The first formal meeting of the Oversight Board took place on 16 June 2025. It noted the terms of reference that had been agreed.
Members received a full update report from Archdeacon Parry on the work of the Cathedral Chapter and the Implementation Group. They acknowledged the significant work undertaken under his leadership.
The Oversight Board received an initial introduction to the two commissioned reports. It was agreed that a fuller review of the recommendations would be considered at the next meeting.
The Oversight Board was clear in its position that transparency was a key principle which should be demonstrated throughout this process of engagement. It was agreed that the Board would issue a formal statement after each meeting to assure the Church in Wales and the wider community that an open process was being followed.
Consideration was given to the format and content of the Implementation Progress Report. Recommendations were made regarding refining the structure of the document. Members welcomed the initial work which had been undertaken and valued the openness of discussion with Archdeacon Parry.
It was agreed that the Oversight Board would undertake several ‘deep dive’ reviews to support colleagues as they addressed the numerous themes identified in the two reports. The identification of such themes would be agreed at the next meeting.
The Oversight Board noted and welcomed the level of engagement by colleagues from the Bangor Diocese as they start on the process of addressing structural issues identified in the commissioned reports.
Meeting 17 July 2025
The Bangor Cathedral Oversight Board met via video conference on 17 July 2025, chaired by Professor Medwin Hughes. The meeting opened with prayer and noted the retirement of the Archbishop of Wales, who will remain Bishop of Bangor until 31 August. The Electoral College would convene on 29 July to elect a successor.
The Board approved the minutes of its previous meeting and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, agreeing to publish both statements and minutes. A draft progress statement was endorsed for publication.
Updates were shared on the Representative Body’s recent statement and ongoing support for Bangor Cathedral, including HR, governance, and safeguarding.
Archdeacon David Parry reported on the Implementation Group’s progress. The Reverend Canon Dr Manon James was appointed as Dean of Bangor and will join future Board meetings.
The Board reviewed draft policies and emphasised consistency and thoroughness. It praised the Implementation Group’s efforts and highlighted the importance of cultural transformation.
The next meeting will focus on safeguarding and culture, with future discussions on communications and an autumn visit to Bangor Cathedral.
Meeting on 6 October 2025
The Bangor Cathedral Oversight Board met via video conference on 6 October 2025 and was joined by the Dean, in her first meeting of the Oversight Board as Dean. The Board was also able to welcome Archbishop Cherry to her first meeting of the Oversight Board.
Dean Manon provided the Oversight Board with an overview of her first month in post, outlining the challenges of the role, which the Oversight Board discussed. The Dean presented a very clear and honest evaluation of the scale of issues that had to be addressed in order to transform the engagement within the Cathedral. Significant HR issues had been identified, and colleagues were engaged in dealing with a number of strategic issues. Information was presented regarding additional change undertaken within the DBF.
The Oversight Board is aware that work in relation to the culture of the Church in Wales is being considered by the Governing Body, something the Board would wish to commend. The Board is aware that improvements to the working culture at Bangor Cathedral are work in progress and supports the Dean, Chapter and others involved in the life of the cathedral in their efforts to seek these improvements. These efforts will require long-term commitment but will be transformational to all those working to further the mission and ministry of the cathedral.
The Board had a full update on the action plan and discussed a number of issues relating to safeguarding, communication and policy development.
The Archbishop presented a full report on her current engagement with the diocese and the cathedral. The Board had the opportunity to reflect upon wider strategic issues as they related to the cathedral and the future sustainability of the diocese. The Oversight Board is very mindful of the strenuous impact the current situation continues to have on the diocesan and cathedral staff and was grateful for the support being provided by various provincial staff and colleagues from the diocese of Monmouth.
The Oversight Board was content that progress was being achieved and that the Dean had managed to instigate a number of key developments during her first few weeks in post. It was felt that more work was required to build trust and confidence between the different stakeholders across the diocese and both the Archbishop and the Dean were very mindful of the importance of modelling best practice in furthering collaboration and joint engagement within the cathedral.
Meeting on 3 November 2025
The Bangor Cathedral Oversight Board met with the Dean and Archbishop on 3 November 2025 and received its usual full update on the action plan, discussing a number of issues arising from that.
The Dean updated the Oversight Board on recent work of the Implementation Group and on life at the cathedral. The Board was pleased to hear that a sense of stability was returning to the cathedral, and that the Dean was working hard to ensure that the tone of engagement – both in written materials and in personal interactions – was positive. Developing a positive culture was a key area of work and the oversight Board is assisting with the organisation of a workshop at the cathedral in the new year to explore culture and behaviour.
Challenges remained, including with some ongoing and complex human resources-related cases. The Oversight Board was pleased to meet with the Regional HR Adviser for north Wales to be briefed on these issues.
The Oversight Board had agreed to make communication an area of focus at this meeting and was joined by the Director of Mission and Strategy, who has oversight of provincial communication-related matters, and received a detailed update of work in relation to the diocese of Bangor over the past eight months or so. The importance of communication as a tool to help bolster the cathedral was recognised and investment in this area was encouraged.
The Oversight Board was briefed on incipient work on updating the cathedral’s constitution, work which would be instrumental in ensuring the most appropriate governance structure was in place. In recent years the Constitution of the Church in Wales had been updated to allow cathedrals to develop constitutional frameworks which were most appropriate for their particular circumstances, within parameters, and the Oversight Board was keen to encourage that the constitution of Bangor Cathedral was reviewed to ensure it was optimal and supported conversations that were beginning to take place to bring this in line with other Church in Wales cathedrals.
The Oversight Board was briefed on the forthcoming special meeting of the Governing Body to discuss a proposal in relation to the episcopal vacancy in Bangor.
The Oversight Board continued to be grateful for the support being provided to the cathedral by provincial and diocesan staff and was keen to note its continued support for the Dean and those involved in the life of Bangor Cathedral.