The Revd Nia Catrin Williams has been appointed Dean of Bangor Cathedral and Ministry Area Leader of Bro Deiniol. She will take up the role in January 2027.

Nia is currently Ministry Area Leader of Bro Beuno Sant Uwch Gwyrfai, having returned to the Diocese of Bangor earlier this year after serving as an Armed Forces chaplain. She succeeds the Rt Revd Manon Ceridwen James, who is now Bishop of Bangor.

A first-language Welsh speaker with more than 25 years of ordained ministry experience, Nia previously served as Canon Missioner at Bangor Cathedral from 2012 to 2015.

Her appointment comes as the Cathedral continues to address concerns raised in two safeguarding reviews conducted in 2024. Over the past year, Bishop Manon and the Cathedral team have worked to address those concerns and bring stability to Cathedral life. Nia will continue that work, supporting staff and congregations, rebuilding trust and confidence, and developing the Cathedral’s ministry in the city and wider diocese.

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Ordained priest at St Asaph Cathedral in 1999, Nia began her ministry as Assistant Curate in the Rectorial Benefice of Llanrhos. She later served in Brynymaen and Colwyn Bay while working as Under 25s Officer for the Diocese of St Asaph, before becoming Vicar of Towyn and St George.

She joined the Diocese of Bangor in 2008 as Vicar of Glanogwen and Llanllechid with Mynydd Llandegai, and later served as Area Dean of Ogwen. During her time as Canon Missioner at Bangor Cathedral, she also served as Anglican Chaplain to Bangor University and Diocesan Director of Ordinands. She volunteered with Bangor Street Pastors and Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force.

In 2016, Nia joined the Royal Army Chaplains Department. Her service included postings in the UK and Belgium and operations with the UN and NATO. Before returning to the diocese in 2025, she served in Cyprus as a Reservist Chaplain with the Royal Air Force. She continues to support RAF Valley when needed.

Her wider work across the Church in Wales has included children’s and youth ministry, safeguarding, vocations and the Provincial Welsh Language Committee.

Away from ministry, Nia enjoys travelling, tinkering with classic cars, DIY and supporting the Welsh national football team. She is married to Nigel and they have two grown-up daughters and a granddaughter.

Comment

Further background is given in the BBC Report New dean will ‘continue to address concerns’ at scandal-hit cathedral states:

“Nia Catrin Williams will succeed Right Reverend Manon Ceridwen James in the role, who took over as Bishop of Bangor in June after criticism was raised by a safeguarding review of the Gwynedd cathedral in 2025″.

Two reports revealed a culture where ‘sexual boundaries seemed blurred‘, as well as the use of inappropriate language and an excessive consumption of alcohol.

The Church in Wales said Williams will continue to ‘address concerns’ by ‘supporting staff and congregations’ and ‘rebuilding trust and confidence'”.