The Anglican Church's Voice in the Valleys

Victoria Combe finds the newly-consecrated Archbishop of Wales a fan of The Simpsons, Father Ted and Welsh rugby

On the evening we meet, the Archbishop of Wales is putting up the crib with his wife and two children under a baubled Christmas tree. Woolly Wise Men, knitted by his aunt from the valleys, stand poised in the porch. Every day, they will be moved by the children until they reach the manger for Epiphany on Jan 6.

This is a ritual that the Archbishop, Dr Rowan Williams, always follows with Rhiannon, 12, and Pip, five. It is not easy, he admits, to remind them of Christmas's religious significance when shops and telly tell them it is about chocolate. The family light an advent candle at bedtime and sing together.

Dr Williams, 49, became Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Wales in March. A DD from Oxford, he is the only bishop in Britain with an international reputation as a theologian. He is tipped to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury, although he laughs at the suggestion, saying he neither wants nor expects the post.

He is loved in Wales, where he stimulates and inspires his flock with his teaching, but remains planted in ordinary life. There cannot be all that many archbishops who are fans of The Simpsons and Father Ted, and who pray for Welsh rugby before matches. Earlier this year, he published a social philosophy book, Lost Icons: Reflections on Cultural Bereavement, that tackled his most passionate concern - the modern preoccupation with personal gratification. He said: "My wife Jane calls it my taxi-driver's book because it is me leaning over my shoulder, saying: 'And another thing . . . and another thing . . .'"

He does, however, feel strongly that "we are in a muddle about choice. The model of choice is now centred on the individual consumer, and yet choice should be exercised in corporate responsibilities. In choosing for self, we want what makes us feel good now. Therefore, the idea that I become what I am slowly, through a process of highs and lows, is lost."

The increase in marriage breakdown - so much of which takes place over Christmas and New Year - is a result of the misconceived modern pursuit of instant happiness, he feels. He said: "Marriage is becoming who you are in company, over a long period. We have not got many myths left, but expectations about 'marriage and family' soar at Christmas. It is a private time when people expect to celebrate these myths. It is a recipe for tears before bedtime."

Extravagant plans for Madonna and Guy Ritchie's wedding epitomise the modern obsession with the "Big Day", he says. He said: "There is huge emotional and financial investment in weddings now, and people expect it to be the best day of their lives. Brides expect to be princesses, and marriage has become a huge consumer event. It casts a veil over what it is going to be like a week on Tuesday, and a week on Tuesday in five years."

To him, the rise in populist politics, such as the fuel protests, is another example of people's demand to be made "to feel better" instantly. The country, he says, also does things to "make itself feel better", without considering the long-term consequences. The Gulf war and the intervention in Kosovo, in his view, were examples of Britain "rushing in to relieve its own sense of injustice".

He said: "We do not look ahead and think how our actions will affect the situation in these countries in 10 years. In Iraq, there is no change except a lot more people are dying." He is also "deeply unhappy" at the vote in the Commons this week to allow cloning of human embryo cells for medical research.

"I think the waters have been muddied by the question of whether the embryo is a person or not. It is a reality which has enough physical integrity to be a potential person. I cannot bring my conscience round to breeding spare parts from embryos." Similarly, he was disturbed by the decision to offer morning-after pills over the counter, seeing them as a form of abortion and for "taking human life".

His long road to the priesthood began with his introduction to poetry and philosophy by his mentor and "second father", the Rev Eddie Hughes, his parish priest in Swansea. "I came out of my teens seeing the Church as a mind-expanding place to be. I was lucky."

Yet he struggled for a decade - from 15 to 25 - to find his vocation, unable to decide whether he should be priest, academic or monk. "It was painful. I was facing a brick wall and did not know where I should be. I had a strong sense of calling but I was wrestling with dissatisfaction with the Anglican Church." He was drawn to the spirituality of Roman Catholic monastic orders and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Anglican Church, he felt, "did not go deep enough".

His views began to change when he saw the faith and commitment of his students training for the priesthood. Even now, he retains a broad streak of independence. He is opposed to establishment and believes that the Church of England has inflated ideas of its own importance because of its connection with the State.

Looking back at 2000, he is disappointed by the unfulfilled promises, particularly over Third World debt. He had read so many hopeful prayers and poems by children. He said: "Twelve months on, not much has changed. There was no magic. What we have left is that ridiculous object called the Dome."

His wife, whom he married 20 years ago when he was a lecturer and she was a research student at Cambridge University, teaches theology at Trinity College, Bristol. As Archbishop, he sees less of his family, though he "snatches" time with them when he can.

The Church in Wales, disestablished in 1920, is in decline, like all denominations, with a membership of 83,500. The Archbishop is not optimistic about reversing the slide quickly, but sees signs of growth. His Christmas service in Newport Cathedral, however, is likely to be packed. Afterwards, the family will celebrate with Mrs Williams's four sisters and their children. The Wise Men will reach the sitting room door.

Victoria Combe, Daily Telegraph

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