New Priest-in-charge for St Julian's

The Bishop of Monmouth, Rt Revd Dominic Walker, has announced the appointment of Father Rex Matthias, from the Diocese of St Asaph to be Priest-in-charge of St Julian’s, Newport.

Father Rex is aged 47 and is married to Alison, a Deputy Head Teacher. They have a daughter, Sarah, who is at Cardiff University and a son, David, who will be doing ‘A’ levels next year. Father Rex was ordained in 1994 having previously worked for the Department of Employment dealing with unemployed people and in staff training. For the past eleven years Father Rex has been Rector of Petryal and Betws yn Rhos. He has been Chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Group and plays the organ. He is currently also a member of the St Asaph College of Spiritual Directors and Warden of Readers.

Welcoming the appointment, Bishop Dominic said: “I am looking forward to welcoming Father Rex Matthias as priest-in-charge of St Julian’s. He has had an outstanding ministry in North Wales where his congregations have grown. I am sure he will enjoy being in Newport and continue the excellent tradition of worship and ministry of spiritual care at St Julian’s.”

Fr Rex says: "I am very much looking forward to becoming part of the Church family at St. Julian's and in the Diocese of Monmouth. It will be a huge change from ministry in rural North Wales but both I and my family are excited by this new challenge".