The Very Rev Kevin Pearson was today elected the new Bishop of Argyll and The Isles. The See became vacant following the retirement last year of the Rt Rev Martin Shaw who had served the diocese as Bishop for five years.
Kevin Pearson is currently Rector of St Michael & All Saints Church in Edinburgh, a Canon of St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Dean of the Diocese of Edinburgh and the Provincial Director of Ordinands (responsible for the discernment and selection process for candidates for ministry), a role which he was instrumental in creating in 1991 on behalf of the College of Bishops.
I am surprised at how briefly his predecessor was in office. I wonder what went on? I preached/presided at the cathedral on Cumbrae and had some exchanges with +Martin Shaw. Maybe he was ready to retire, but it may also be the case that–as with the other dioceses in the SEC–there is simply not enough money to support longer term planning and mission.