Britain might soon have its first female Anglican bishop, serving the 38,000-member Scottish Episcopal Church, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The Rev. Alison Peden, 57, is one of three candidates for the post of bishop of Glasgow and Galloway. The election is scheduled for Jan. 16.
Observers say that if Peden is elected it is likely to increase pressure on the neighbouring (Anglican) Church of England to allow the appointment of women bishops.
Nonsense…if one is foolish enough to jump into the pit because it is the new popular creature of our culture it should not entice you to do the same if it violates your belief structure for eternal salvation.
Intercessor
Well, we won’t have long to wait. The election is Saturday.
But it’s perhaps worth noting that the Scottish Episcopal Church, with a mere 38,000 members, is MUCH, much smaller than the new ACNA.
David Handy+
Well, 38,000 – the Scots have been remarkably coy about their figures recently. The last figure for membership I saw on the ACO site in 2007 [before it was taken down] was 44,280. People have suggested that on a Sunday 15,000 turn up. It had a membership of over 100,000 in 1900. SEC is now smaller than half an English diocese. This is probably the real story. Oh dear, one wishes them well.
More on the candidates and their selection by the committee chaired by the new Primus is here:
http://www.scotland.anglican.org/index.php/news/entry/three_candidates_short_listed_in_vacancy_for_bishop_of_glasgow_galloway/
I am not sure why TEC-in-a-bag-lady Christina Rees thinks it will have any impact one way or another.