Sunday, January 17, 2010

Rev Canon Alison Peden fails to become UK's first woman bishop

A priest has failed to in her bid to become Britain’s first woman bishop.

The Rev Canon Dr Alison Peden, 57, had been shortlisted for the position of Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

However today an electoral synod of fellow clergy and lay church members from the Diocese decided on a male candidate.

The Very Rev Dr Gregor Duncan rector of St Ninian’s Church, Pollokshields, Glasgow, will be consecrated bishop instead.

The Scottish Episcopal Church decided to allow women bishops in 2003, however Dr Peden, a married mother of three, was the first to be shortlisted.

The Church of England is currently divided over the issue of women bishops, with the some clergy threatening to accept a Vatican invitation to join the Catholic church if they are allowed.

The Church of Wales voted against women bishops in April 2008.

Dr Duncan, 59, who beat another male candidate as well as Dr Peden, will be installed at a ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral in the next few months

He said: “I am deeply honoured to be given this responsibility by the electors of the Diocese and am committed wholly to this new office.”
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SIC: TCUK