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	Bishop Carl Resigns, but Any Pay-Off Stays Secret By Martin Shipto ic Wales April 30, 2008 http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/04/30/bishop-carl-resigns-but-any-pay-off-stays-secret-91466-20839259/ THE terms of the Bishop of St Davids' resignation yesterday will remain secret at least until the Church in Wales' accounts are published. Both Bishop Carl Cooper who had been on a leave of absence for seven weeks following serious concerns about his friendship with his married female chaplain and communications officer and the Church have signed a confidentiality agreement, we understand. The chaplain the Rev Mandy Williams-Potter has also resigned, it was confirmed yesterday. Last night there was speculation about whether the Church had relented on its earlier inclination not to give the departing Bishop a significant payoff. The confidentiality agreement explains the terse nature of the announcement of the Bishop's departure. A statement issued by the Church simply said: "The Bishop of St Davids, the Rt Reverend Carl Cooper, has resigned. He has apologised for any of his actions that have caused offence and made it impossible for him to continue his ministry as Bishop of St Davids. "The Archbishop and the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales have accepted the resignation as being in the best interests of the diocese and the Church in Wales at this time. There will be no further comment." Later a statement issued by four senior clerics in the diocese the Very Rev John Wyn Evans, Dean of St Davids, the Venerable Dr John Holdsworth, Archdeacon of St Davids, the Venerable Alun Evans, Archdeacon of Carmarthen and the Venerable Andrew John, Archdeacon of Cardigan said: "This has been a difficult time for the diocese of St Davids. "Bishop Carl's announcement now enables us to move on and to focus on the many positive aspects of the diocese's vocation and ministry. "The events of recent months have weighed heavily on so many people in the diocese and we continue to hold them in prayer." In February the Bishop, 47, and his wife Joy announced they were separating after a 25-year marriage. Last month Mrs Williams-Potter, 38, confirmed she was also separating from her husband Chris. The Bishop's leave of absence began after 23 clerics in the diocese of St Davids had signed a letter requesting an inquiry into his private life to determine whether there was any "just cause for scandal" associated with the breakdown of his marriage. When the Bishop and his wife announced they were separating, they said no-one else was involved in the split. Mrs Williams-Potter also told the Western Mail no other party was involved in her separation from her husband. She said: "I am not in an inappropriate relationship with Bishop Carl. I confirm that my husband Chris and I are planning to separate, but at present are still living together. "There is no-one else involved in the break-up of our marriage. The two marital breakdowns are tragically coincidental and not connected in any way." A joint statement from the Bishop and his wife at the time they disclosed their marital breakdown said: "Sadly and tragically, we have decided to separate. There is no-one else involved on either side. We are committed to an ongoing, amicable relationship of mutual care and support. "The challenges in our marriage are personal and shall remain private for our own sakes and that of our family and loved ones. "Clearly this is a most painful and difficult time for all concerned. Please remember us and our family in your prayers." The Bishop and his wife have three children aged 17, 20 and 22. Church in Wales leaders were told by both the Bishop and Mrs Williams-Potter that their separations were "an unfortunate coincidence". Mrs Williams-Potter confirmed she had resigned but refused to talk about her relationship with the Bishop. Dressed casually in jeans and a light brown cardigan at her home, she said: "I will not be making a statement about my resignation I have nothing further to say." The smart detached house where she lives with her two children, aged six and 12, is owned by the Church and she will have to move out. Neighbours said they have not seen her teacher husband Christopher at the house in the quiet village of Penial near Carmarthen for several weeks. The Church in Wales' accounts for 2008 are unlikely to be published for some time. Timeline Bishop Carl Cooper August 4 1960: Born in Wigan, Greater Manchester. Ordained deacon in 1985 and priest in 1986, becoming successively Priest in Charge of Llanerch Aeron, Rector of Dolgellau and Archdeacon of Meirionnydd. April 2002: Appointed Bishop of St Davids. February 21, 2008: Announces he is separating from his wife. March 12, 2008: Goes on leave of absence. April 29, 2008: Resignation as Bishop announced. Clergy express sadness but have different views over departure Clergy in the diocese of St Davids expressed different views about the Bishop's departure. Canon Michael Butler, vicar of St Issell's and Amroth in Pembrokeshire and Rural Dean of Narberth, said: "My feeling today is one of great sadness and loss. "He has been a very good Bishop and a great leader. "I think he has made a great personal sacrifice on behalf of the Church in resigning. "I have every confidence in his original statement (that no other party was involved in the breakdown of the Bishop's marriage), and that there has been no act of impropriety. I believe him." Canon Butler was critical of the letter signed by 23 clerics in the diocese that called for an investigation into the Bishop's conduct. "The letter didn't help the situation, and it hasn't done the Church any good. "The number signing it was actually quite a small proportion of the clerics in this diocese. "I believe the matter could have been handled more sensitively. Bishop Carl has had the support of many lay people and clergy in the diocese, and they will all be saddened that it has come to this. "I would hope that a place could be found for him in the Church in the future. Bishop Carl is still a young man. "He brought much life and leadership to the diocese, which has benefited greatly from his leadership and ministry." The Rev Brian Barnes, vicar of Llanwnda and Goodwick, also in Pembrokeshire, said: "It's very sad. "There has been a great deal of rumour and gossip, but that's all it has been. We don't know all the facts. "He has been a good bishop, a mover and shaker. But I don't think he has handled this situation in the best way he could. "A bishop and his chaplain are inevitably going to work closely together, and because of the rumours he should have made a full statement at the outset saying there was nothing improper in their relationship. "If he had done that, I think it would have been possible for him to have carried on. But he didn't. "I don't think he had the best advice. "Obviously this situation impinged on his leadership. "It doesn't look good when a bishop's marriage breaks down, but it can happen to anyone. "If the rumours were true, he should have asked for forgiveness that's what Christianity is about, after all. "Obviously his role as a bishop would then have had to be looked at."
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