A NEW Archdeacon of Monmouth has been installed at a ceremony in Newport Cathedral.

Canon Ambrose Mason was installed by Bishop of Monmouth, Rt Revd Richard Pain on Sunday November 24. He will be responsible for the well-being of clergy and parishes in and around Abergavenny, Monmouth, Raglan, Usk and Chepstow.

Archdeacon Ambrose said: “It is a great privilege to have been entrusted with this new role among people that I have come to know and love so well over the last ten years. At this time of year we are reminded that the values of the Kingdom of God, which all Christian people are called to be a part of, are radically different from the ideas of power and authority which surround us.

"It is a difference to celebrate and I look forward to serving our life together in this calling.”

The Ven Ambrose Mason, 62, grew up east of Manchester and became Director of Ministry for Monmouth Diocese in 2006.

Bishop Richard Pain said: "An Archdeacon is a negotiator, finding resolution out of conflict, picking up the pieces when things go wrong. But his role is more than that by his commitment to share the work of the Bishop, an Archdeacon is also a seeker of the truth.

"I hope both Ambrose and Jonathan (Archdeacon of Newport) will work with me to uphold and encourage Kingdom values in our church communities, and to seek the loving truth that enables clergy and laity to grow and to be encouraged in the mission of the Church on earth.”