The Diocese of Edinburgh is in an Episcopal Vacancy. During this time, the Most Revd Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness, the Primus, is our Acting Bishop, and the Rt Rev Andrew Swift, Bishop of Brechin, will convene the Electoral Process.

You can find out more about the newly revised process of the calling and election of bishops to Vacant Sees in Canon 4 of the Code of Canons. The General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church has also produced Guidelines for the Election of a Bishop, a Commentary on Canon 4.

Bishop Search Prayer

Living God,
you walk with us in all seasons of life
calling us to follow you with joy, hope and love
as we share in your work of renewing the world;
give us humility and discernment to hear your voice,
that those discerning their calling
and all involved in our bishop search
may be encouraged in your ways
and open to your creative Spirit. Amen.

Our Advert

SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Diocese of Edinburgh

CALLING A BISHOP

Stretching south from the river Forth to the Scottish Borders and east from Falkirk to the Scottish coast, the Diocese of Edinburgh is rich in the diversity of its church communities and their worship styles, all seeking to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

As a Diocese, we are prayerfully looking for a Bishop to lead and support us as we discern God’s call to us in this place and at this time of change and challenge.

Prospective candidates are sought for the office of the Bishop of Edinburgh.

Nominations must have the consent of the Nominee. Candidates may be nominated, or a person may put their own name forward. The Nominee must be an ordained Priest from within the Scottish Episcopal Church, or another Province of the Anglican Communion or from a Church with which the Scottish Episcopal Church is in full communion.

The nomination pack comprises:

• a welcome letter from the Right Rev Andrew Swift, The Electoral Convener
• the nomination form
• a description of the Diocese (with a reduced-sized version)
• a Charge Profiles booklet (with a reduced-sized version)
• and the consent (assent) form.

Paper copies may be obtained from the Diocesan Office at 21a Grosvenor Crescent, Haymarket, Edinburgh, EH12 5EL, or email hharcus@dioceseofedinburgh.org

Once completed, nominations should be sent to: The Electoral Convener, The Right Rev Andrew Swift, Diocese of Edinburgh, 21a Grosvenor Crescent, Haymarket, Edinburgh, EH12 5EL or email hharcus@dioceseofedinburgh.org

To arrive no later than: 12 NOON FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 2025. NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED

The Electoral process is governed by the Code of Canons of the Scottish Episcopal Church (Canon 4). This can be downloaded from the Provincial website: www.scotland.anglican.org

Election will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure check.

Timetable for the process:

• Friday 31 October 2025, 12 noon: closing date for nominations
• Week beginning 12 January 2026: interviews in Edinburgh
• 7 February 2026: Electoral Synod meeting with candidates
• 14 February 2026: Electoral Synod undertakes an election without candidates present.

We have produced a video introduction to the Diocese of Edinburgh, which you can view below.

Timetable of Key Dates for the Members of the Diocese: Canon 4:12(a) (Stage 1, first pass of the Process):

Key Event	Date
Preliminary Electoral Synod	27 September 2025
Closing Date for Nominations	31 October 2025
List of Candidates Sent to Synod Members	Late Jan/Early February 2026
Electoral Synod Meets Candidates	7 February 2026
Electoral Synod Meets to Elect a Bishop	14 February 2026
Bishop is Consecrated (Assuming Bishop is Elected on 14 February)	30 May 2026

2025
31 Aug	The Rt Revd Dr John Armes retires as the Bishop of Edinburgh.
1 Sept	Bishop Mark is Acting Bishop of the diocese.
	Electoral Process begins
17 Sept	Mandate for the Election of the Bishop is issued by the Primus (Canon 4.5) to the Dean, the Chancellor, the Clerk of the Episcopal Synod, and the Convener of the Standing Committee of the General Synod, inaugurating the Electoral Process. Bishop Andrew, Convener of the Electoral Synod, at request of Primus and instruction of College of Bishops (Canon 4.6d), to summon Preliminary Electoral Synod (Canon 4.10).
September	Diocesan Standing Committee approves and circulates the Diocesan Description and Charge Profiles (Canon 4.4b). Training on the Electoral process and the discernment for the calling of a bishop is offered.
27 Sept	Preliminary Meeting of the Electoral Synod takes place at St Mary’s Cathedral.
	Stage One of the Process begins
September	Preparatory Committee to make arrangements for the placing of adverts.
October	Convenor to arrange placing of adverts to appear in the Church Times and online. Closing date for receipt of nominations is 31 October 2025.
November	Preparatory Committee consults with the College of Bishops and meets to consider nominations and decide who to invite to complete questionnaires.
December	Questionnaires are returned and the Preparatory Committee decides which candidates to invite for interview.
	Break for Advent
2026
January	Preparatory Committee meets in person to conduct candidate(s) interviews.
January	Preparatory Committee decides list of candidates to present to Electoral Synod (minimum 3, maximum 5). Preparatory Committee sends list of candidates to Electoral Synod members (together with CVs, candidate statements and assent to nominations) (Canon 4.16h). All to be absolutely confidential.
7 Feb	Electoral Synod meeting with candidates.
14 Feb	Electoral Synod meeting to undertake election. Only those attending can vote.