Mark becomes diocese's first canon theologian

Mark Clavier has become the diocese’s first canon theologian as he begins a new chapter in his ministry,

Mark has moved from his post as residentiary canon at Brecon Cathedral to take up the role, and he has also been announced as bishop’s chaplain and vicar of St Mary’s.

As canon theologian he will offer support to the diocese, working with ministry areas to promote engagement with Scripture and theology.

“The nice thing about this job is it’s a completely new way of doing it. I don’t believe there is another canon theologian in Wales. But in England he or she is appointed to a cathedral and is usually a full-time academic who’s probably also in holy orders and for the most part might deliver public lectures at the cathedral or maybe lead a Lent group.

“What Bishop John’s done differently is that I’ll be canon theologian for the diocese rather than the cathedral and my portfolio is to try and promote theological enquiry, engagement and learning throughout the diocese and to be a resource for him, parishes, and ministry areas. I might lead study days or I might support people who want to do their own study days.

“One of my goals will be to encourage all the ministry areas to develop ways in which people can really engage with scripture and theology in ways that bring them together in growth and understanding.

“I’ll be going around the diocese and meeting with clergy and other people to see what they might do in terms of theology, leading study days myself – which I’ve already been doing for a few years on the Gower – and I’ll also be organising some public lectures here at the cathedral and in Swansea. I’m hoping also to get some people from outside the diocese, theologians and biblical scholars, to talk and share their ideas.

“I will also be a theological resource to the bishop and senior officers in the diocese so, if they are presented with a theological question, I’m there to help them.”

As chaplain to Bishop John, he will coordinate visitations to churches, with a focus on liturgies and licensings, and liaise with the cathedral about diocesan services.

Mark trained for the ministry at Duke Divinity School in North Carolina and was in parish ministry for 14 years before completing his doctorate at Durham University. He became dean of residential training at the then-St Michael’s in Cardiff and served as acting principal as it went through its transition to St Padarn’s.

After leaving Cardiff he became vice-principal of St Stephen’s House in Oxford and he has written five books.

He took his first service as vicar of St Mary’s on Sunday.

“I’ve got good relationships with the business community, the council and various charities in Brecon so we’ll be able to build on all of those things. One of the things I’ve got a fair amount of experience in from my parish background is going into churches which are struggling and helping them to believe that decline isn’t a foregone conclusion. St Mary’s enjoys an incredible location and enormous local goodwill, not least thanks to its café. I’m really looking forward to seeing how God will use us to make St Mary’s a beacon of faith, hope, and love in the heart of Brecon."