By Gwyneth Rees
Daily Mail
March 12, 2008
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=531569&in_page_id=1770
He claimed that his 25-year marriage ended due to "difficulties" and that no one else was involved.
But last night, in an embarrassing retreat, the Right Reverend Carl Cooper, the Bishop of St David's in west Wales, announced he is stepping down from his post over rumours of an affair with a female vicar.
The bishop split from his wife Joy last month - with both sides claiming that the decision was mutual and neither side had cheated.
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| Leave of absence: Bishop Cooper has stepped down after talks with the Archbishop of Wales |
Within weeks, however, senior clergymen launched a petition calling for a tribunal to be set up to look into the bishop's conduct.
Two vicars in the local diocese suggested that questions needed to be asked over his private life to see if his actions had given "just cause for scandal".
They sent letters to fellow clergymen calling for the marriage break-up to be investigated.
And now, following talks with Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan, Bishop Cooper has agreed to step down temporarily.
Last night, a brief statement was issued which read: "Following consultation with the Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan about the particular difficulties in the Diocese of St David's, the Rt Rev Carl Cooper, has agreed to take leave of absence."
The move follows weeks of speculation over whether the bishop - a father of three - was having an affair with a female vicar, the Reverend Mandy Williams-Potter.
He is known to have a close working relationship with the 38-year-old, who also works as his communications officer.
But rumours of a relationship developed after the 47-year-old was spotted visiting her house during the day while her husband was out working as a primary school teacher.
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| Investigation: Reverend Mandy Williams-Potter and Right Reverend Carl Cooper |
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, claimed the bishop often parked his car several hundred yards from his colleague's house, then called at her property on foot.
He has been visiting Mrs Williams-Potter "several times a week" - always during the day - for six months, the neighbour said.
She added: "Sometimes he's in his religious clothing, but usually he's in his civvies - a pair of smart trousers, shirt and jumper - no dog collar in sight."
Last week, Mrs Williams-Potter, who has two children aged 12 and six, denied she was having an affair with her boss.
Speaking from her detached home in the Carmarthenshire village of Peniel, she said: "I am aware of the rumours but they are untrue.
"The bishop and I are just good friends. My husband and I live in the same house."
But despite initially denying an affair, Mrs Williams-Potter later announced she and her husband Chris were also considering separating after 13 years of marriage.
She added it was "purely a coincidence".
Bishop Cooper insisted meanwhile: "There is no one else involved on either side."
Yet two vicars, Will Strange, vicar of St Peter's, Carmarthen, and Peter Jones, vicar of Llangennech, near Llanelli, clearly believed otherwise.
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| 'Close working relationship': Bishop Cooper at work with communications officer Mrs Williams-Potter |
In their letters seeking an investigation into the bishop's conduct, they said: "It is an opportunity to say that where there is a perception of conduct giving just cause for scandal the circumstances should be subject to the Church's investigative and disciplinary procedures.
"For us as clergy to do any less would be to acquiesce in a situation which is causing distress across the diocese to many, both lay and ordained."
It is thought that their high-profile campaign meant the Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan had to act on the issue.
Last week a spokesman for Dr Morgan said: "The Church's policy is that all clergy have to be above suspicion.
"Any allegations of misconduct or inappropriate conduct are investigated as a matter of course."
It is not yet clear whether Bishop Cooper will return to office.
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