Welsh Journals

Search over 450 titles and 1.2 million pages

Readers of The Welsh Churchman may have noticed the review in the June 1991 issue of volume 27 of the Journal of the Historical Society of the Church in Wales and volume 7 of this Journal. In the review the writer notes "The object of both these publications is to make available to the church historian of Wales the best of its scholarship" and poses the question "Is it too much to hope that a merger might produce a regular publication of quality high in scholarship .?" It is more than likely that the same thought has occurred to subscribers of either or both of these journals, and especially to those who have patiently awaited the appearance of JHSCW 27 through eleven years. An answer may be forthcoming to the question posed in The Welsh Churchman. A meeting was held in April of this year of representatives of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales and the officers of the Historical Society of the Church in Wales, at which the suggestion was made that the society should seek to merge with the ecumenical group active in publishing this Journal. To this end the bishops of the Church in Wales have convened an offical working party to explore the possibility, a working party which, among others, includes the editors of both journals. At the time of writing that working party has held two meetings. The issue is not as clear-cut as it might seem. Although in many ways complementary, the two journals, and their editorial policy, do not exactly coincide. JHSCW is the offical organ of the Historical Society of one particular church, the Church in Wales. JWEH is, and has been from the outset, ecumenical a fact clearly revealed by the composition of its editorial board. It has no denominational allegiance. The suggestion has been made that the time is now right for the creation of an Ecumenical Church Historical Society in Wales, producing an annual journal of high academic standard, as well as other publications, and also organising or sponsoring lectures, day schools and symposia. This is only one suggestion currently under active consideration by the working party and by the representatives of this Journal. Subscribers to JWEH may rest assured that no solution which does not safeguard its ecumenicity, freedom from denominational allegiance or control and editorial independence will be accept- able. The discussions are currently at an early and tentative stage. We shall, of course, keep you informed of any developments. JRG RLB