Letter urges support for bishop

Bishop Cooper has taken a leave of absence from his diocese

Clergy have been urged to sign a letter of support for the Bishop of St Davids, who has taken a leave of absence after rumours amid the end of his marriage.

The letter was sent by the Reverend Canon Michael Butler and fellow members of the Deanery of Narberth.

Mr Butler said it would help express the wider view of the diocese, which he said backed Bishop Carl Cooper.

The bishop was at the centre of media speculation after announcing he was separating from his wife, Joy.

Leave is usually given under exceptional circumstances and it is not yet known when he will return to his office, which covers Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and parts of Powys.

In his letter, Mr Butler said he had hoped for a "more compassionate and supportive attitude" to news of the bishop's marital breakdown.

We firmly believe that the wider view of the diocese has not yet been expressed The Reverend Canon Michael Butler

"We all strive in the course of our ministries to exercise to all with whom we have dealings the practice of unconditional love and understanding," wrote Mr Butler.

"We are saddened that there has been no overt or public expression that this is being offered to our bishop and those around him.

"We firmly believe that the wider view of the diocese has not yet been expressed.

"We therefore ask you to join us in redressing the balance, by expressing what we know to be the view of the vast majority of both clergy and laity in our diocese."

The letter contained a written statement of support for the bishop and his wife of 25 years, calling for the diocese to move on from the matter.

Mr Butler invited his fellow clergy to put their name to these words and return the letter to him by 26 March so he could forward it.

However, some members of the diocese have called for an investigation into Bishop Cooper's conduct over concerns about the speculation which has surrounded the breakdown of his marriage.

His chaplain and communications officer, the Reverend Mandy Williams Potter, has said rumours about their relationship are false. She has also taken a leave of absence.