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Welcome to our new archdeacon!

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English content

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Congratulations to Revd Canon James Henley, who was installed on Sunday (8th March) as Archdeacon of Newport and Director of Ministry & Discipleship. Friends and family filled Newport Cathedral for the special celebration service licensing James into his new role.The service featured uplifting music and readings, along with a sermon from Bishop Cherry. She spoke of the “demanding role” of an archdeacon and the need “to be strong and very courageous.” James moves into this position from his former role as Ministry Area Leader in East Cardiff. Bishop Cherry invited everyone to pray for him, noting that “anyone who is crossing over from MA cleric to Archdeacon and into a bishop’s staff team needs to be strong and courageous as they take on the weight of responsibility that the role demands.”Reflecting on the challenges of today’s “global scene,” she drew on St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, where he urges believers to “be strong in the Lord and the strength of his power” and to stand firm against the forces of darkness. She noted how relevant Paul’s words feel given the state of the world today.Paul’s imagery of the “whole armour of God,” she said, offers six tools to help protect believers from error and from being drawn toward destructive forces. “This is God’s gift to us all—the whole armour of God,” she added. “And as we pray for this to be God’s gift to James particularly as he takes on his new ministry as Archdeacon of Newport, so we also pray for ourselves: that we may stand strong and courageous in the strength of God’s power.”The Diocese holds a special place in James’ heart. He previously served as a pastoral assistant and then as a pioneer minister before being ordained in 2015. After completing his curacy in Newport, he moved to Cardiff in 2017. He is an elected member of the Diocesan Standing Committee, the Diocesan Board of Finance, and the Governing Body of the Church in Wales. In November 2025, he was installed as a Canon of Newport Cathedral.Speaking about his appointment, James said: “I’m delighted to have been invited by Archbishop Cherry to take up this new role in a Diocese and Archdeaconry for which I care so deeply, and which has played such a significant part in shaping my own ministry and discipleship. I look forward to walking alongside our clergy and lay people through both the joys and challenges they face, and to working closely with Archdeacons Stella (Bailey) and Ian (Rees), and the wider Diocesan team.”

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You can read Bishop Cherry's full sermon here