Scottish Church may vote in first female bishop

The Episcopal Church of Scotland will decide today whether to appoint its first female bishop.

The Rev Canon Dr Alison Peden is one of three candidates for the new Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway.

Dr Peden is currently Rector of Holy Trinity Church in Stirling and canon of St Ninian’s Cathedral, Perth. She is also a chaplain at Forth Valley College in Stirling.

She will be considered against the Venerable Dr John Applegate, Course Principal of the Southern North West Training Partnership in the Anglican Diocese of Manchester, and the Very Rev Gregor Duncan, Rector of St Ninian’s Church, Pollokshields.

The Church passed a motion in 2003 allowing women bishops, but is yet to consecrate its first female clergy to the office of bishop.

The new Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway will succeed the Rt Rev Dr Idris Jones, who retired last year after 11 years in office.

Commenting on the short-list of candidates, the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Rev David Chillingworth, said: “Each of the candidates brings a wide range of experience, and I am confident that the electoral synod will elect the right person to lead the diocese in its future mission and ministry.”