Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has welcomed cross party support for more action to support key religious sites in Wales and greater recognition of their role in supporting the Welsh economy.
Darren, who chairs the Cross Party Group on Faith in the National Assembly, has long been calling on the Welsh Government to recognise the importance of Wales’ abundance of ancient and sacred sites and was delighted this week when Assembly Members from political parties agreed that more action should be taken to support them.
Darren said:
“We had a great debate in the Senedd on religious buildings this week and there can be no doubt about their importance to communities, our heritage and the Welsh economy - I very much welcome the recognition of this from fellow Assembly Members.
"Figures from Visit Wales demonstrate that places of worship are among the most visited attractions in Wales so it's no wonder that church leaders have saying that there is a renewed interest in holy sites. There are more than 600,000 visitors each year to some of the nation’s most prominent religious places. It is fantastic that the number of visitors to these sacred sites is growing but we must do all we can to build on this.
"There are a large number of important holy sites in my constituency that attract a steady and growing stream of visitors annually including holy wells in Rhos-on-Sea and Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch, historic churches and chapels such as St Peter's Church in Ruthin and Rhug Chapel, and the increasingly popular North Wales Pilgrim's Way.
“Religious tourism is booming the world over and I am keen for Wales to benefit from this renewed interest in sacred sites.”
Picture Caption: Clwyd West AM Darren Millar at St Dyfnog's Holy Well, in Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch, near Denbigh.