Dictionary

Words on this page

Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Priest

‘Priest’ comes from the Greek word for ‘elder’. Priests in the Church in Wales are those authorised specifically to proclaim forgiveness of sins, preside at the Eucharist and bless God’s people, as well as other responsibilities.

Theological

‘Theology’ means literally ‘words about God’. Christian theology involves our trying to understand and explain what God has revealed about himself through Scripture. This work is aided by the writings of past and present theologians and human reason.

Home News and events Familiar face returns to Diocese

Familiar face returns to Diocese

Monmouth news Posted: 3 July 2022

We are pleased to announce that a familiar face will be returning to the Diocese.

Fr Ross Maidment will be joining us from Winchester College, where he has served as College Chaplain and Philosophy and Religious Studies Don.

Announcing the appointment, the Rt Revd Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth, said: “Ross is no stranger to the Diocese having served his curacy here and it is good to be welcoming him back.

“His energy and enthusiasm together with his immense gifts and skills, not least in schools and with young people, will be invaluable in the Mountain and Marsh Ministry Area.

“I look forward to licensing him as the new MA is legally formed and commissioned early in the autumn.”

During his time in Monmouth, and shortly after being ordained priest, Ross was followed by the BBC for a ‘fly on the wall series’ Young, Welsh, and Pretty Religious.

Ross has degrees in Theology from Oxford and Cardiff and says his research is driven by a desire to widen participation in contemporary theological dialogue.

He says: ‘I am very much looking forward to beginning this new ministry in the Mountain and Marsh Ministry Area and bringing back with me all that I have learnt at Winchester. I am particularly excited about the opportunities to both forge new and strengthen existing partnerships with schools in the Ministry Area and across the Diocese.’

Later this year Ross will publish a study in Mariology. The book includes original research, as well as responses from theologians, notably the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, editor of ARCIC II.

Passionate about the role the Church has to play in the secular, particularly in education and the armed forces, Ross currently serves as a Reservist Chaplain with the Royal Navy.

Ross is married to Stephanie, Associate Director of Primary Care for Surrey Heath. They have three cats: Wilfred, Hermione, and Esme. In the holidays, he enjoys adventures in his campervan, 'Bilbo'.