Joanna Penberthy

Joanna Susan Penberthy (born 1960) is a retired Welsh Anglican bishop. From 2016 until 2023 she served as the bishop of St Davids in the Church in Wales. She was the first woman to become a bishop in the Church in Wales, when she was consecrated a bishop on 21 January 2017.

She has ministered in the Church of England and the Church in Wales: she has served as a deaconess in the Diocese of Durham and the Diocese of Llandaff, as a deacon in the Diocese of Llandaff, the Diocese of St Asaph, and the Diocese of St Davids, and as a priest in the Diocese of St Davids, the Diocese of Bath and Wells, and the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. Her final appointment before being raised to the episcopate was as rector of the Benefice of Glan Ithon in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon (2015 to 2016).

Early life and education Penberthy was born in 1960 in Swansea, Wales. She was brought up in Cardiff, and was educated in the city at Cardiff High School, a comprehensive school. During this time, she also studied for a Master of Theology (MTh) degree, which she completed in 1984. She was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in July 2019 by the University of Nottingham. Her doctoral thesis was titled "Reading the "Paradoxical Book of Bell": a case study in theology and science".

Ordained ministry In 1984, Penberthy was licensed a deaconess in the Church of England.

In 1997, Penberthy was ordained a priest; this was the first year that the Church in Wales ordained women to the priesthood, making her one of the first female priests in the province.

In 2010, Penberthy returned to England, leaving behind her benefice and canonry. From 2010 to 2011, she was priest-in-charge of the benefice of Charlton Musgrove (St John) (St Stephen), Cucklington and Stoke Trister in the Diocese of Bath and Wells. On 8 September 2015, she was inducted as the rector of Glan Ithon (a benefice consisting of Llandrindod Wells (Holy Trinity) (Old Parish Church) and Cefnllys with Diserth with Llanyre and Llanfihangel Helygen) in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. thereby legally becoming the 129th bishop of St Davids. She was consecrated a bishop on 21 January 2017 during a service at Llandaff Cathedral, the last bishop consecrated by Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, before his retirement. She was enthroned at St Davids Cathedral on 11 February 2017. On 2 June 2021 she issued an apology on the Bishop of St Davids website in which she stated that she "trust and have trusted many Conservatives and know there are many honourable people in that party". Following formal letters of complaint by clergy and others, it was announced on 21 June 2021 that Penberthy would be taking a month's sick leave, the srchdeacons' letter referring to the recent controversy. The announcement was subsequently amended to read that she would be on sick leave until the end of September, then until the middle of October, and then until the end of October. She began a phased return to work on 1 November 2021. From 31 August 2022, Penberthy was again off work on sick leave; on 18 May 2023, she announced her retirement with effect from 31 July.

Personal life Penberthy is married to Adrian Legg, who is also an Anglican priest. They have four children.