Three men on shortlist to be next Bishop of Edinburgh

three churchmen have been named on the shortlist to become the next Bishop of Edinburgh in succession to the Right Rev Brian Smith, who retired in the summer after ten years in the job.

Among the candidates is the Very Rev Dr John Armes, currently Dean of the Edinburgh Diocese and Rector of St John’s Church, Princes Street, since 1998.

Also in the running is the Rev Mike Parker, who was Rector of St Thomas’ Church, Corstorphine, from 1991 until 2003, then became general secretary of the Evangelical Alliance Scotland for three years before being appointed Middle East director of Middle East Christian Outreach. He is now senior minister to the English-speaking congregations at All Saints Cathedral, Cairo.

The third name on the list is the Rev Canon Dr Alvyn Pettersen, Canon Theologian of Worcester Cathedral, who was also shortlisted to be Bishop of Brechin earlier this year.

The candidates will now be interviewed in February by a special electoral synod, made up of 90 clergy and 60 lay church members from the Edinburgh Diocese, who will then vote to decide who becomes the new Bishop.

No women are included on the shortlist. The Scottish Episcopal Church backed the principle of female bishops in 2003 but has yet to choose one.