THE Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney, the Rt Revd Anne Dyer, has been re-suspended after her appeal was rejected by the Episcopal Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church on Thursday.
Bishop Dyer had originally been suspended by the Scottish Primus, the Most Revd Mark Strange, in August, after two formal complaints were made against her, alleging misconduct. On the same day as this announcement, however, in a dramatic turnaround, the suspension was lifted, pending an appeal by Bishop Dyer (News, 12 August). A church statement said that this would be considered at a meeting of the Episcopal Synod, to be arranged “as soon as possible”.
Seven weeks on, a further statement on the Church’s website confirmed that “the Episcopal Synod had refused the appeal by a majority of three to two. The suspension from office of the Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney now resumes with immediate effect until further notice, while the next stage of the process takes place.
“The suspension does not constitute disciplinary action and does not imply any assumption that misconduct has been committed,” the statement says.
As had previously been announced, it was confirmed that the Bishop of Edinburgh, Dr John Armes, would serve as Acting Bishop of the diocese during this suspension, in addition to his normal duties. The Bishop of Brechin, the Rt Rev Andrew Swift, would serve as Acting Convener of the Institute Council.
The statement continues: “The complaints which have been received are being considered in the first instance by the Preliminary Proceedings Committee in accordance with Canon 54 of the Scottish Episcopal Church Code of Canons.”
On Saturday, her lawyer, Callum Anderson, of Levy & MacRae, said: “Since January 2021, Bishop Dyer has been obliged by the processes of the Scottish Episcopal Church to remain silent, despite a relentless campaign of anonymous and inaccurate media briefings from a small cabal of church members.
“As a result, an entirely one-sided and self-serving picture has been presented by a handful of people who fundamentally object to same-sex marriage and to Bishop Dyer’s appointment as the diocese’s first female bishop.
“Whilst Bishop Dyer is hugely grateful for the enormous support she has received from her wider diocese, clergy, and congregations, she is clearly frustrated at being unable to respond publicly to the very personal and gruelling attacks on her.”
He concluded: “Following the 3-2 split judgement on her appeal, she is most keen to see a full, prompt, and transparent accounting of the entire circumstances of this unsavoury episode and is in discussions with legal advisors to examine all options. Indeed, the speedy resolution of this matter must now be a priority, not just for the Bishop but for the diocese and the wider Church.”
Bishop Dyer’s tenure has been troubled since early in her time in office. She is the first woman bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church, and was elected by the College of Bishops after the Preparatory Committee (charged with finding suitable candidates to present to the Synod) twice failed to identify the required minimum of three candidates for the vacancy (News, 11 November 2017; 5 January 2018).