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Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Llandaff Centre of Mission

A partnership between the Diocese of Llandaff and Church Army.

Prayer

Prayer sustains our human relationship with God and may involve words (formal or informal) or be silent. Prayer can involve adoration (‘I love you’), confession (‘sorry’), thanksgiving and supplication (‘please’).

Home News and Blogs Llandaff Mothers Union joins the Community of the Cross of Nails

Llandaff Mothers Union joins the Community of the Cross of Nails

News Posted: 5 January 2026

Members of Mothers’ Union Llandaff gathered in the Cathedral for a deeply significant moment in the life of the diocese, as they received their Cross of Nails in recognition of their membership of the Community of the Cross of Nails (CCN) and their ongoing commitment to peace and reconciliation.

The presentation took place on the 85th anniversary of the bombing of Llandaff Cathedral during the Blitz—a poignant setting for a symbol rooted in both suffering and hope. The Dean of Coventry, the Very Revd Jon Witcombe, presented the Cross of Nails to Bishop Mary and Dean Jason marking a new chapter in the relationship between Mothers’ Union and the international reconciliation movement born out of the ruins of Coventry Cathedral.

In 2026, the Mothers’ Union in the Province of Wales will formally affiliate with the CCN, creating a significant and lasting legacy as part of the province’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Membership of the CCN is represented by a distinctive cross formed from three nails. The original nails were recovered from the ruins of Coventry’s bomb‑damaged medieval cathedral; today, the crosses are crafted by inmates in a German prison. For Christians, the nails recall the violence inflicted on Christ at his crucifixion and call us to acknowledge the harm we have caused, to seek forgiveness, and to offer forgiveness in return. Yet the symbol also speaks powerfully of hope and new life—a message that resonates deeply with Mothers’ Union’s work among individuals and communities who have experienced both hurt and healing.

The CCN’s guiding prayer, “Father Forgive,” continues to shape and inspire Mothers’ Union life and ministry. In Llandaff, the decision to receive the Cross of Nails during the anniversary service reflects a shared commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the healing of memories.

As St Paul reminds us, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). This message stands at the heart of the Cross of Nails and the work of Mothers’ Union today.

This moment stands as both a remembrance of the past and a sign of hope for the future, as Mothers’ Union Llandaff joins a worldwide network dedicated to building peace in our communities and beyond.