Woman priest fails in bid to be a bishop bid

A SCOTTISH Anglican priest has failed to become the first female bishop of a major UK church.

The Rev Canon Dr Alison Peden was shortlisted to be elected Bishop of Brechin in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

But the Ven Dr Nigel Peyton was elected to the post last night, following a meeting of the Electoral Synod of the Diocese of Brechin in Dundee. He is currently Archdeacon of Newark, Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.

He said: "I am honoured to have been elected and look forward to returning to the diocese where my ministry began."

The Bishop of Brechin office became vacant in October, following the early retirement of Dr John Mantle, who died a month later.

All the candidates for the post were selected from nomination lists by a preparatory committee, who choose the shortlist. The five were interviewed by the electoral synod prior to the vote.

The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, said: "I congratulate Archdeacon Peyton on his election. The Scottish Episcopal Church will be delighted to welcome him to leadership in the Diocese of Brechin."