Former Archbishop of Wales the Rt Revd Alwyn Rice Jones was laid to rest today, Saturday 18 August 2007, in the grounds of the Cathedral in St Asaph.  His funeral service was attended by more than 600 people, including 11 Bishops and more than 70 other clergy.  On an overcast day, the threatened rain held off, allowing the burial to take place just outside the Cathedral doors.

In his address, the present Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Dr Barry Morgan, spoke of Archbishop Alwyn’s warmth and pastoral care, his distinctive sense of humour and his courage, especially in bringing forward for a second time the motion for the ordination of women as priests.   Remembering him personally, he recalled how his “eyes would sparkle, a half smile appear on the face, a cryptic remark would be uttered and a huge movement of the eyebrows would follow.”    He concluded by saying that whilst it is true we take nothing from this world, “it is nevertheless true that we can leave something behind and Alwyn leaves a great deal behind, in terms of what he gave to the Church in Wales and what he gave to individuals within it and indeed outside it.”

Former Dean of St Asaph, the Very Revd Kerry Goulstone, a personal friend of the late Archbishop, said that he was “without doubt a people’s Bishop; the hallmark of his ministry was dedication to service.”

The funeral service was conducted by the Dean, the Very Revd Chris Potter, with a reading from John’s gospel given in Welsh by Mrs Bethan Roberts.  The commendation was given by the Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd John S. Davies.  The prayers were led by the Vicar of St Asaph, the Revd Val Rowlands, and the Cathedral choir was conducted by Mr Alan McGuinness, accompanied on the organ by Mr John Hosking.  The hymns were ‘Tydi a wnaeth y wyrth, O Grist, Fab Duw’,  ‘Love divine, all loves excelling’ and ‘Glân geriwbiaid a serraffiaid’.

The Archbishop of Canterbury was represented at the service by the Rt Revd John D Davies.

The Rt Revd Alwyn Rice Jones was 73.  He is survived by his wife, Meriel, daughter, Nia and two grandchildren.