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Bishop resigns after speculation Bishop resigns after speculation
(10 minutes later)
The Bishop of St David's, the Right Reverend Carl Cooper has resigned, the Church in Wales has confirmed. The Bishop of St Davids, the Right Reverend Carl Cooper has resigned after weeks of intense media speculation over the breakdown of his marriage.
It follows intense media speculation about his private life after announcing he was separating from his wife, Joy. In a Church in Wales statement, the bishop, who had been on a leave of absence, apologised for "any of his actions that have caused offence".
In a statement released by the Church in Wales, the Bishop apologised for "any of his actions that have caused offence". He said this had made it impossible for him to continue as Bishop of St Davids.
He said this had made it impossible for him to continue his ministry as Bishop of St Davids. The Archbishop of Wales accepted the resignation as being in the best interests of the diocese and church.
The Archbishop and the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales accepted the resignation as being in the best interests of the diocese and the Church in Wales at this time. In March, Bishop Cooper took a leave of absence from the office which covers Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and parts of Powys.
Some members of the diocese had called for an investigation into his conduct following concerns over the speculation which surrounded the breakdown of his marriage of 25 years to his wife Joy.
But clergy were also urged to sign a letter of support for Bishop Cooper by the Reverend Canon Michael Butler and fellow members of the Deanery of Narberth.
Bishop Cooper's chaplain, the Reverend Mandy Williams Potter, had said rumours about their relationship were false.
Mrs Williams Potter, who was also Bishop Cooper's communications officer, previously said newspaper speculation had been very distressing for both families. She has taken a leave of absence.
Bishop Cooper, who has three children aged 22, 20 and 17, took up his post in St Davids in 2002.