Bishop Carl Cooper And Joy, A Prayer
THE tabloids love a good vicar sex story. Like a smutty vicar in a Benny Hill sketch they lust for what they condemn.
So to today’s story in the Mail that the Rt Reverend Carl Cooper has not been having an extra-martial affair with the Reverend Mandy Williams-Potter, billed as his “communications officer”.
“Church officials” in the diocese of St David’s in Pembrokeshire “have been told Bishop Cooper has a ‘close working relationship’ with Mrs Williams-Potter”.
The Mail says the Bishop’s marriage to a certain Joy of 25-years is at an end. The Mail says he “often appears to have reason to visit her house during the day”, when he husband is out at work.
Bishop Carl (a trendy vicar, perhaps, who visits Mrs Williams-Potter in “smart trousers and shirt and jumper”) says no-one else is involved in the breakdown of his marriage.
Mrs Williams-Potter says: “The bishop and I are just good friends.” She adds: “My husband and I live in the same house.”
The Mail says that 18 months ago “she had to deal with inquiries about a priest who resigned over an ‘inappropriate relationship’.”
And that’s it.
Only vicars Will Strange and Peter Jones want the matter investigated. “For us as clergy to do any less would be to acquiescent in a situation which is causing distress across the dioceses to many both lay and ordained.”
Says the Archbishop: “My thought and prayers are with Bishop Carl and Joy.”
Posted: 6th, March 2008 | In: Tabloids Comments (13) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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May 12th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
This is not something I usually take part in but having read the blog of Carls daughter .I have known Carl since I was 12 years old and what a caring , generous and thoughtful person he is .What happened to guilty until proven innocent but to look at his children is totally disgraceful.I have three sons all I am sure been on wild nights out but thankfully not had to put up with the press .My eldest son who is now President of the sudents union Napier university in Edinburgh spends his life fighting for rights of these students,he woul be furious if one of his student ha had to endure what Carls kids have had to go through .
Any way ,Laura love your Dad Carl hes the best tell him everyday you love him and help him survive this hell on earth .Remember you only have one dad believe me I know .
As always your whole family is in my prayers
Lois Davies(Benning)
April 16th, 2008 at 3:28 am
I understand the concerns of the parishioners but this does appear to be a case where public interest and gossip has rather overtaken the matter in hand. It has not been proven that Carl Cooper has had anything like an affair, and the rumour-mongering appears to be a little overblown. The Christian Church in Wales and England provides the basis for the majority of moral and law-based decisions. One of which is one we pride ourselves on. It’s known as ‘Innocent until proven Guilty’. Possibly something to think about before people make such life-affecting and unbalanced decisions?? As the above comment shows, this is at the expense of others. A high price to pay indeed. It seems that people enjoy this pillioring based on the observations of fellow Lampeter University students. Who have obviously not changed an ounce since their own university days, as apparently Mandy has not…. Personal opinion is acceptable but fuelling a fire which may cost many dearly is truly ridiculous.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:20 am
To Caerwedros, Richard Jones and Deb, Craig and Jess.
I am Carl’s daughter Lora. You have obviously all taken the time to write very hurtful things on this page so now its my turn to tell you all something. NON of you know anything about my dad. My family and I are with him almost everyday as is my little sister who has not only been affected by my parents separation and it been broadcast to the world but worst of all her having to listen and read words such as those you have all written and spoken.
Trust me you all have NO idea what has happened and it disgusts me to think you all have an opinion. My dad is an amazing Bishop. I hope one day your families go through something along the lines of what mine has, then maybe you all wont be so hasty to leave your narrow minded and very upsetting responses.
March 26th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I’ve been ill so I’m a bit late with this news but I called my husband at work who was also at the university at the same time and his comment was ‘well that’s true to form’!! Oh dear, I shouldn’t be gossiping like this…
March 26th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Yes it was at a small welsh university…
(around about 1987 -1990)
M and A
Not much has changed from the late 60’s then, apart from the Geography dept!!!
March 26th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
It’s interesting that someone should comment that Mandy had had a fling at her last parish. At university she was well known for that type of thing. One student took an overdose because of her rather un chaste behaviour (he was ok). I also saw her kissing another girl at a party with the express intention of exciting the other men there!! (This was while she was training to be a vicar!) I am not at all surprised by any of this.
M and A
Not at a small Welsh University?
March 17th, 2008 at 8:49 am
It appears that Carl Cooper has stood down from his post - this is a great day for st David’s Diocese - we have had the ‘most unfortunate’ experience of having to deal with this man (and one or two of his minions) - we were shocked and appalled at the ethos within this diocese which strives to protect the image of the establishment over the needs of the individual - THIS IS NOT CHRISTIANITY - we applaud the clergy who had the courage to stand up and be counted in speaking out against this man - thank you - thank you - thank you!!!
March 13th, 2008 at 10:42 am
There should be an inquiry into his conduct as the Visitor to the University of Sleaze Lampeter, this is just the tip of the iceberg, he has a case to answer for Victorian hypocrisy at its most vile. Moreover, as far as judgments are concerned he is only getting back what he has handed out!
Mods and Admin
Whoa, hold the loose horses in College St, keep them on campus, and maybe provide us with a link to an august St David’s periodical? Are we going back to the Hon Burgess even? do tell, nothing quite like a Lampeter scandal, town or gown
March 12th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I expect the media to embellish the story and look for the smut when there may not be anything exciting to write about. Unfortunately, what this really seems to be about is religion, and the mission to attack it. There is obviously no right about wanting to have a ‘faith’, and in the current climate it seems fashionable to attack it, whatever it may be. I think it’s a big shame that a toilet rag tabloid has dragged the Bishop’s children into this - completely wrong, regardless of the guilt or innocence of associated parties.
So much for innocent until proven guilty Richard! This is exactly the sort of attitude that is shameful in this country… sorry, but it’s pretty poor. There seems to be no justification or objectivity in your view - perhaps it’s time to take a step back and look at your own life? It’s clear that judging others harshly is usually a sign of something slightly amiss in one’s own existence. You have obviously made up your mind on the basis of gossip, media tripe, and your own dislike of the Bishop. I don’t presume innocence or guilt as I don’t have the real facts – do you? It’s a shame there are similar people in the country, and that is what brings religion into disrepute… no wonder people are keeping away from the churches if there are people with such narrow views in the aisles.
Bless you!
dr:18.39
March 10th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
In any other circumstances I would agree about leaving the Bishop alone. Except that Carl Cooper has been completely brutal with his own clergy whose marriages have come apart in the past or who been found having affairs. Indeed, his own pontificating on the subject of those public figures who believe their private lives should remain ‘private’ is classis case of the pot calling the kettle balck. Carl Cooper is an arrogant, self-seeking prelate, who has lied to his flock and to his boss (the Archbishop). This is not the first affair Mandy Williams Potter has conducted (she’s obviously very good a “communications” even though she had to leave her last parish because a fling with a parishioner) and Cooper was advised against appointing her. But, as usual, he knew best. We need a clean start, and it should begin with Cooper having the grace and decency to step aside and stop bringing the church into disrepute. We don’t need this high-handed hypocrite as our bishop.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I’m sure there’s nothing in the story at all, if the Reverend Mandy Rice-Davies is the Communications Officer then he must have to visit in order to er… communicate.As usual it’s a non story, and the clergy who have gone public about their concerns should be ashamed, they should have gone straight to the bishop’s line manager (ie the Archbishop of Wales) and voiced their concerns to him.
March 6th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Fantastic, Yampster….
March 6th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Why can’t they leave him alone. There is far too much Bishop bashing going on these days