Pope Francis Creates a New Archdiocese in Wales and Appoints the Metropolitan Archbishop of the New Archdiocese

The Holy Father has united the metropolitan archdiocese of Cardiff and the diocese of Menevia, Wales, and has appointed Archbishop Mark O’Toole, respectively archbishop and bishop of the two dioceses united in persona Episcopi, as metropolitan archbishop of the new archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia.

Curriculum vitae
Archbishop Mark O’Toole was born on 22 June 1963 in London. He was awarded a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Leicester and one in theology at Heythrop. He subsequently obtained a degree in philosophy from Campion Hall, Oxford, and in theology from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
On 9 June 1990 he was ordained a priest for the metropolitan archdiocese of Westminster.
He has held the following offices: deputy parish priest of Willesden Green, dean of studies of the Allen Hall Seminary (1996-2002), personal secretary to Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor (2002), rector of the Allen Hall Seminary (2008), member of the Ethical Committee of Saint John and Saint Elizabeth Hospital and counsellor of the Heythrop College Faculty of Theology, London.
He was appointed bishop of Plymouth on 9 November 2013, receiving episcopal consecration the following 28 January.
On 27 April 2022 he was created metropolitan archbishop of Cardiff and bishop of Menevia, Wales, uniting the two Sees in persona Episcopi.
Within the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales he chairs the Department of Evangelization and Catechesis. He is also member of the International Council for Catechesis within the Dicastery for Evangelization.
The following are the statistical data of the new archdiocese:

Statistical data
	Cardiff	Menevia	Cardiff-Menevia
Area	3,064 kmq	9,611 kmq	12,675 kmq
Population	1,711,000	853,615	2,564,615
Catholics	154,000	27,115	181,115
Parishes	59	53	112
Diocesan priests	43	32	75
Religious priests	23	12	35
Permanent deacons	18	2	20
Seminarians	1	2	3
Men religious	34	16	50
Women religious	60	50	110
Educational institutions	51	30	81
Aid institutions	4	4	8

Bishops' Conference releaese : Archbishop Mark O’Toole announces creation of the united Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia
Thursday, September 12th, 2024 

In a pastoral letter to be read across the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia on the weekend of 14-15 September, Archbishop Mark O’Toole shared the joyful news of the creation of the new Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia.

The announcement was promulgated from Rome, following the decision of Pope Francis, on 12 September, coinciding with the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary. This significant moment marks a new chapter for the Catholic community in South Wales and Herefordshire.

“We are immensely grateful to Pope Francis for this decision and for his inspiring leadership in encouraging us to ‘go outwards’ in mission,” Archbishop Mark wrote. He added, “We received this decision more quickly than anticipated, which I believe reflects the confidence the Holy See has in the process we have undertaken.” He also highlighted the significance of the decision being made on the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary and expressed his gratitude to the lay faithful, religious, deacons, and priests for their continued support and engagement, which have been integral to this process.

In the first five months of 2024, the Archdiocese of Cardiff and the Diocese of Menevia conducted a series of Open Listening Sessions across both dioceses to gauge people’s views on the proposed unification. Archbishop Mark personally attended 42 meetings, which were attended by 605 people, both clergy and laity. Written submissions were also received. The final dossier was submitted to the Nuncio, who relayed it to the Holy See in July, leading to this prompt decision.

In his pastoral letter, Archbishop Mark reflected on the importance of the Virgin Mary as the first missionary disciple and a model of faith and good works. Drawing parallels with the reading from St James, he emphasised how Mary’s example continues to guide the Church in its mission of service and evangelisation.

“Mary became the first Missionary Disciple, running quickly to visit and greet her cousin Elisabeth with great joy,” Archbishop Mark remarked. He reminded the faithful that Mary, who accompanied her Son on the Way of the Cross, teaches us to embrace the Lord’s invitation to take up our own crosses and follow Him.

Looking forward, Archbishop Mark called on the faithful to continue walking together on the path of the Gospel, deepening their relationship with Jesus and bearing witness to Him through good works, just as Mary did.

Providentially, the creation of the new Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia comes as the Church prepares for the Jubilee Year under the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. Archbishop Mark encouraged the faithful to look to Mary as the first Pilgrim of Hope, who embraced Jesus with openness and brought His love to others.

The pastoral letter concluded with a prayer to Mary, written by Archbishop Mark, asking for her to be close to all in the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia, to be like her in loving Jesus wholeheartedly and welcoming Him more deeply into our lives.
Full Pastoral Letter

You can download Archbishop Mark O’Toole’s pastoral letter here.
Pastoral Letter – Cardiff-Menevia
Sources: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/09/12/240912d.html

and Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales