The Rt Rev Kevin Pearson, having formally resigned his position as Bishop of Argyll and The Isles with effect from the end of June 2020, will translate to the United Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway on 1 July 2020.
A mandate for the election of a new Bishop for Argyll and The Isles will now be issued by the Primus in July. The timetable for the election process seems likely to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and consideration will be given to that when the mandate is issued.
The Right Rev Ian Paton, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, has been appointed by the College of Bishops to take on the additional duties of Acting Bishop of Argyll and The Isles during the Diocese’s forthcoming episcopal vacancy.
In a letter to the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway, Bishop Mark Strange, Primus and Acting Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, made reference to restrictions caused by the coronavirus epidemic, saying: “Clearly the present situation has caused me to consider how the process could be best conducted without creating a further delay. Therefore following a meeting of The College of Bishops, at which we agreed that Bishop Kevin could be instituted by deed, signed by all members of the College, I can now tell you that Bishop Kevin will become Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway on the 1st July 2020.
“Once the present situation has ended we will then hold a more formal service in the Cathedral.”
In a further letter to the Dean and Diocesan Secretary of Argyll and The Isles, the Primus said: “I am delighted to inform you that the College of Bishops has already decided that Bishop Ian, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, will be the Acting Bishop of the Diocese during the episcopal vacancy.”
Bishop Ian was consecrated in the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane in October 2018, and was previously Rector of Old St Paul’s in Edinburgh, Holy Trinity in Haddington and St Anne’s in Dunbar. Prior to that he was Vice Provost and Canon at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Please continue praying for Bishop Kevin and his wife Elspeth, as well as the people of our sister Diocese of Argyll and The Isles, the College of Bishops and the Scottish Episcopal Church.