Bangor Cathedral has suspended the activities of its choir for an initial period of one month after members sang what the cathedral's governing body described as an "inappropriate" piece and walked out of a communion service on 31 August.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Chapter — a body of 15 to 18 clergy and lay people responsible for running the cathedral — said the choir performed a canticle at the service "which was completely inappropriate" and then left the service. The Chapter said the suspension is intended "in order to review what happened and consider the next steps" and to "maintain a dialogue between the Chapter and the choir." The statement noted that the cathedral's music director, Joe Cooper, is currently away from his duties.
The incident follows a period of turbulence at the cathedral after it announced plans that could see up to two thirds of its workforce considered for lay-offs as part of efforts to address mounting financial pressures. The Chapter said the cathedral expects to make a loss of £300,000 by the end of the year and that 66% of its annual expenditure is spent on lay staff. It said the shortfall between income and expenditure could "put significant pressure on our reserves" and that the situation would require "urgent action." The Chapter has begun a formal consultation process on possible redundancies and said it is determined any consultations "will be fair, dignified, confidential and in accordance with the best practices within human resources."
Reports in the Telegraph quoted lyrics from the canticle written by a chorister, Simon Ogdon, including the lines "Lord, how long shall the ungodly triumph?" and "how long shall all wicked doers speak so disdainfully?" John Roberts, a presenter of the religious affairs programme Bwrw Golwg on Radio Cymru, said some members of the congregation were left disappointed by the protest. "Especially as they did that [the protest] during a very important devotional part of the liturgy," he said.
The Chapter said the suspension will allow it to consider what steps are necessary following the incident and to engage in discussions with choir members. It also reiterated that any additional expenditure since 2021 had been authorised by the Chapter.
The developments come as Dr Manon Ceridwen James prepares to take up her post as the new dean of Bangor Cathedral this week. The cathedral's leadership faces the immediate task of balancing financial constraints with maintaining services and music provision while conducting staff consultations.
The Chapter did not specify what sanctions, if any, would follow the one-month suspension or how long consultations over staffing changes might take. The cathedral's statement emphasised its intent to manage the situation in line with established human resources practices and to seek a resolution through dialogue.