Hughes was born in Penmaenmawr, North Wales, UK, and is a Welsh language speaker.
He is now Vicar at Christ Church, Roath Park in Cardiff, also working as director of theological studies at St. Padarn's Institute.
He is a member of the Church in Wales's governing body and sits on the theological commission that assists the bench of Welsh Bishops.
[3] Until 2023, Hughes was Canon Theologian at Llandaff Cathedral, MA Tutor at St Padarn’s Institute, and Vicar of Christ Church, Roath.
[citation needed] Hughes's accessible spirituality, reflected in his book Finding Hope and Meaning in Suffering, its website, lectures, talks, and retreats, has made him popular with the religious and secular media.