Rt Rev Carl Cooper is a fluent Welsh speaker

The enthronement service was attended by both lay people and clerics from the diocese.

Representatives from other denominations and those from the national and civic life of Wales were also in attendance.

The Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Reverend Wyn Evans, placed the new bishop on the episcopal chair as a sign of his taking office in direct succession to St David, the Patron Saint of Wales.

In his sermon, the Rt Rev Cooper emphasised the Church's responsibility to serve society in partnership with others.

"Despite all its problems, the Church remains one of the most significant voluntary agencies in Wales today, with representation in every single community and settlement and has a distinctive voice and contribution to make.

"This provides us with fantastic opportunities as well as challenges."

The Church remains one of the most significant voluntary agencies in Wales today

Rt Rev Carl Cooper, Bishop of St David's

He added: "As a family we are looking forward very much to returning to St David's diocese, to renew old friendships as well as making new friends."

He is a fluent welsh speaker but is a native of Wigan in Lancashire.

Returning

He first came to Wales as an undergraduate in Lampeter, where he took a degree in French before reading theology at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford.

He subsequently gained a Master of Philosophy degree for a study in bilingualism in the Church in Wales.

He is married to Joy and they have three children, David, 17, Lora, 14 and Emma, 12.

He is no stranger to the diocese, having served as curate in Llanelli and Parish Priest in Ciliau Aeron, Ceredigion, before moving to Dolgellau in Bangor Diocese in 1993.

For the past two years he has served as Archdeacon of Meirionnydd.