Bishop's final Christmas message

Bishop John Davies and his wife Joan will retire to live near Llanrhaeadr

The Bishop of St Asaph has officially retired after nearly 10 years in office and more than 30 years working in the Church-in-Wales in north-east Wales.

The Right Rev John Davies's final Christmas message was read in churches calling on people to communicate hope in difficult times.

The bishop, 65, worked as a journalist and also in Africa before studying theology and becoming a priest in 1975.

He was a parish priest in north east Wales before his consecration in 1999.

A farewell service was held at St Asaph cathedral on 21 November, at which the Archdeacon of Montgomery, the Venerable John Thelwell, said he had "encouraged the diocese to move forward in exciting and courageous ways."

In the busyness surrounding this season it is easy to lose a sense of perspective and get knocked off balance in the face of financial uncertainty Bishop John Davies

He served as a curate in Hawarden before becoming the vicar of Rhosymedre and later Mold, before becoming archdeacon of St Asaph in 1991.

In his farewell to the diocese, where he was born, Bishop John, said he wanted to express his "deep appreciation to you all for the generosity of welcome I have received throughout the diocese and for the companionship and support you have shown".

He announced his intentions in June, admitting it had been a "hard decision".

"I consider myself very fortunate to have reached retirement age in good health and to be in a position of having a wonderful job to retire from and a good home to go to," he said.

'Act of kindness'

Bishop John's work has included interests in ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue, communication, the environment, fair trade and education.

He has also commented on a a variety of subjects, ranging from peace in Iraq to more recently anti-social behaviour and the Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross affair.

In his final Christmas message, he said: "In the busyness surrounding this season it is easy to lose a sense of perspective and get knocked off balance in the face of financial uncertainty, the fear of job losses and the consequences of recession. But this is not a time to despair."

Bishop John added: "Try to do an act of kindness for a friend, visit a relative or neighbour, forgive someone who has offended you, but do something! It can transform another person's life - and yours."

Married with two grown up sons and three grandchildren, he plans to move to live near Llanrhaeadr, Denbighshire, for his retirement.

An electoral college to choose a new bishop will be held in January.