Carl N. Cooper
Encyclopedia
Carl Cooper was the Bishop of St. David's from 2002 to 2008.
in Lancashire
. He first spent time in Wales
as an undergraduate at the University of Wales, Lampeter
, where he took a degree in French
before studying theology
at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford.
Unusually for a non-native Welsh Bishop, Cooper is a fluent Welsh-speaker. He received a Master of Philosophy degree for a study in bilingualism in the Church in Wales
.
in Llanelli
, followed by as the Rector
of Ciliau Aeron
, Ceredigion
. He also served at Dolgellau
and as Archdeacon of Meirionnydd.
in 2002. In February 2008 it was announced that Cooper was to split from his wife of 25 years, Joy.
There then followed press speculation linking Cooper with his chaplain
and communications officer, the Reverend Mandy Williams Potter. After consultation with the Archbishop of Wales
, Cooper took a leave of absence on 12 March 2008; and then resigned his position on 29 April 2008. In early 2011 reports began to emerge of his having married Mandy Williams-Potter and of her being pregnant.
. At that meeting Cooper was quoted as saying, "Wales' influence often stretches further than we realise."
David Bahati later tried to pass an act through the Ugandan Parliament
to have the death penalty applied to certain homosexual acts. Bishop George Katwesigye has accused perpetrators of homosexuality of "indirectly bringing back colonialism in Uganda".
Early life
Cooper was born on 4 August 1960 and grew up in WiganWigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. He first spent time in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
as an undergraduate at the University of Wales, Lampeter
University of Wales, Lampeter
University of Wales, Lampeter is a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822 by royal charter, it is the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales and may be the third oldest in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge...
, where he took a degree in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
before studying theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford.
Unusually for a non-native Welsh Bishop, Cooper is a fluent Welsh-speaker. He received a Master of Philosophy degree for a study in bilingualism in the Church in Wales
Church in Wales
The Church in Wales is the Anglican church in Wales, composed of six dioceses.As with the primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Archbishop of Wales serves concurrently as one of the six diocesan bishops. The current archbishop is Barry Morgan, the Bishop of Llandaff.In contrast to the...
.
Ministry
He served as curateCurate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
in Llanelli
Llanelli
Llanelli , the largest town in both the county of Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed , Wales, sits on the Loughor estuary on the West Wales coast, approximately west-north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarthen. The town is famous for its proud rugby...
, followed by as the Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Ciliau Aeron
Ciliau Aeron
Ciliau Aeron is a small village 4 miles from Aberaeron in Ceredigion, Wales on the left bank of the River Aeron.The word Ciliau comes from the Welsh for corners. Aeron Corners in English refers to the many bends taken by the river through this area.The village post office has long gone, but Ciliau...
, Ceredigion
Ceredigion
Ceredigion is a county and former kingdom in mid-west Wales. As Cardiganshire , it was created in 1282, and was reconstituted as a county under that name in 1996, reverting to Ceredigion a day later...
. He also served at Dolgellau
Dolgellau
Dolgellau is a market town in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion, a tributary of the River Mawddach. It was the county town of the former county of Merionethshire .-History and economy:...
and as Archdeacon of Meirionnydd.
Episcopal career
He was elected and consecrated Bishop of St David'sBishop of St David's
The Bishop of St David's is the ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of St David's.The succession of bishops stretches back to Saint David who in the 6th century established his seat in what is today the city of St David's in Pembrokeshire, founding St David's Cathedral. The current Bishop of St...
in 2002. In February 2008 it was announced that Cooper was to split from his wife of 25 years, Joy.
There then followed press speculation linking Cooper with his chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
and communications officer, the Reverend Mandy Williams Potter. After consultation with the Archbishop of Wales
Archbishop of Wales
The post of Archbishop of Wales was created in 1920 when the Church in Wales was separated from the Church of England , and disestablished...
, Cooper took a leave of absence on 12 March 2008; and then resigned his position on 29 April 2008. In early 2011 reports began to emerge of his having married Mandy Williams-Potter and of her being pregnant.
Cooper and Uganda
In his role as bishop, Cooper was invited to Uganda by the "old friend of west Wales", George Katwesigye, there he met MP and University of Wales graduate David BahatiDavid Bahati
David Bahati is a Ugandan politician and MP in the Ugandan parliament. He is the MP for the constituency of Ndorwa West and is a member of the National Resistance Movement, the ruling party of Uganda...
. At that meeting Cooper was quoted as saying, "Wales' influence often stretches further than we realise."
David Bahati later tried to pass an act through the Ugandan Parliament
Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill is a legislative proposal that would broaden the criminalisation of same-sex relations by dividing homosexual behavior into two categories: "aggravated homosexuality", in which an offender would receive the death penalty, or "the offense of homosexuality" in which...
to have the death penalty applied to certain homosexual acts. Bishop George Katwesigye has accused perpetrators of homosexuality of "indirectly bringing back colonialism in Uganda".