Bishop calls for peace over Iraq

The Bishop of St Asaph has issued a call for peace

The Bishop of St Asaph, Rt Rev John Davies, has issued a call for peace over the Iraq conflict in his New Year message.

He said that "many of us struggle to recognise a just cause and continue to question why our government is colluding in the rhetoric of war."

Teenagers are often a church under persecution

Bishop of St Asaph

He suggested that we resolve to "make peace" when encountering conflict of any kind.

The bishop also calls for more support for youngsters who belong to a church or faith.

Teenagers, he said, "are often a church under persecution."

The bishop used his New Year address to praise the National Assembly and the Welsh Assembly Government for gaining "respect" and "showing independence from Westminster".

He also asked members of his diocese to accept that "they can change and so can the world."

In defence

The Rt Rev John Davies has spoke out to his congregation before.

Back in March, 2002, he publicly defended the seaside resort of Rhyl, warning its label as a crime hotspot could "stigmatise" the town.

This came after Rhyl was named earlier that month by Home Secretary David Blunkett as a target for special police support.

The town's west ward is one of five communities designated as the UK's first "policing priority areas".

But the Right Reverend John Davies told the congregation at St Thomas' church in the town that the image of Rhyl as a troubled area was unwarranted.

Speaking at the time, the bishop said he was "dismayed" by recent adverse publicity and said he would be happy to retire in the resort.