The role of the Reader
The office of Reader, which is derived from the Lector of the Early Church, was revived by the House of Bishops in 1866 to assist clergy in areas of need and to "give laymen an opportunity to engage in the actual ministry of worship and the word". Since then their ministry has gradually developed from what was at first - despite the intention - a stop-gap to one which is accepted and welcomed in its own right, in both the Church in Wales and the Anglican Communion. The office was extended to women in 1969. Today Readers engage in a ministry which is normally voluntary, nationally accredited, episcopally licensed and governed by the Canon.

The responsibilies of a Reader are set out in the Canons as follows:

"It shall be lawful for a Reader:

(a) to visit the sick, to read and pray with them, to teach in Sunday School and elsewhere, and generally to undertake such pastoral and educational work and to give such assistance to any minister as the Bishop may direct.

(b) during the time of divine service take Morning and Evening Prayer (save for the Absolution) to preach, to publish banns of marriage (in accordance with the requirements of the law), to read the Word of God also to preach at the service of Holy Communion, to catechise the children, and to receive and to present the offerings of the people.