The new Archbishop of Wales has called on politicians to develop more "corporate political courage" on the weekend he is enthroned.

The Rt Rev Dr Rowan Williams told BBC Wales that Wales has "not had much of a tradition of coping with its own democratic instruments".

"It needs to develop a bit more corporate political courage," he said.

The Archbishop has challenged the Assembly to ensure the £1.2bn of European Objective One grant aid awarded to Wales is spent wisely.

"As Objective One comes on line, we should know what to do with it - how to steer it into communities where it's most needed to build up local self-reliance."

He also highlighted the findings of the Waterhouse report into child abuse and the National Assembly leadership crisis in his inaugural sermon during a service at St Woolos Cathedral, Newport.

Bishop Rowan, who succeeds the Most Rev Alwyn Rice Jones, told the Church in Wales: "Power is something human beings both seek and fear.

"We are intrigued, seduced by the appeal of controlling others writing the script that others will act out.

"Yet the prospect also frightens us. To have power exposes us to criticism, to the difficulties of choice, to the expectation of others and the inescapable knowledge that we are going to be able to fulfil them."

Dr Williams, 49, is described as one of the foremost theologians in the Anglican Communion.

He was chosen in December by the electoral college of the Church in Wales.

But he faces the problems shared by all denominations in Wales as congregations decline and people take a more individual approach to their faith.