Leaders told Rev Canon John Walker from St Marys Church in Inverurie they were “dismayed” by the “invidious” position he placed the incoming Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney in.
In a letter seen by Premier, they said: “We regard it as particularly regrettable that you have chosen to communicate with us by publicly releasing your letter and press release without any prior indication to us of your intentions and we are dismayed at the invidious position in which it places Canon Dyer as the Bishop elect of the diocese.”
Earlier this month, Canon John Walker joined six other paid clergy from the diocese in accusing the Church of stoking “disquiet and division” by selecting Canon Anne Dyer.
The seven church leaders said the appointment of Canon Dyer – a supporter of same-sex marriage – would not “reflect” the “diversity” of Aberdeen and Orkney – a traditionally conservative diocese.
The Church’s College of Bishops took over the selection process for a new Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney after the usual nomination process failed to produce three candidates.
Demanding that the diocese be given a vote on the appointment, Canon Walker and his fellow signatories said: “Our Church is committed to being an inclusive Church. We would hope the diversity of the Aberdeen diocese would be reflected in the bishop that was chosen for us.
“For the bishops to act in the way and appoint a bishop who is on the opposite side of the…
… Read More
—
Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.