The Right Reverend Kevin Pearson was today [18 Jan 2020] elected as the new Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway.
Bishop Kevin is currently the Bishop of Argyll and The Isles and his election to Glasgow and Galloway represents a historic “translation” of a Bishop from one See to another. The See of Glasgow and Galloway became vacant in 2018 following the retirement of the Rt Rev Dr Gregor Duncan who had served the diocese as Bishop for eight years. Bishop Kevin will take up his new post at a service of installation later in the year, on a date to be announced in due course.
Bishop Kevin has served as Bishop of Argyll and The Isles since February 2011 and before that was Rector of St Michael & All Saints Church in Edinburgh, Canon of St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Dean of the Diocese of Edinburgh and the Provincial Director of Ordinands (responsible for the discernment and selection process for candidates for ministry). He is also currently the Convener of the Council of the Scottish Episcopal Institute (responsible for the training of those entering authorised ministry) and serves on the provincial Standing Committee of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Bishop Kevin was elected to Glasgow and Galloway by the Episcopal Synod, a body comprising the Diocesan Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church. In accordance with the Church’s canonical process, the right of election had passed to the Episcopal Synod, following previous processes of vocational discernment within the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway.
Following the election at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow, Chair of the Episcopal Synod, the Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church said:-
“I warmly welcome the unanimous election by the Episcopal Synod of Bishop Kevin as Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway. The election follows a period of vacancy and since the right of election passed to the Episcopal Synod during the summer of 2019, the Bishops have continued to listen carefully to the views of the Diocese and to engage in a process of ongoing prayer and discernment throughout the autumn.
“Bishop Kevin will bring his wealth of experience as a Bishop to his new role in Glasgow and Galloway as well as his deep love, knowledge and understanding of the Episcopal Church. As he prepares for this new ministry, we hold him and his wife Elspeth in our prayers.
“The Bishops are aware that, in electing Bishop Kevin, this will in due course create a new episcopal vacancy in Argyll and The Isles and we will look forward to supporting that Diocese as it seeks a new Bishop.”
Bishop Kevin said:-
“I am delighted, excited and humbled to be elected as the new Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway. I am looking forward enormously to entering this new phase of ministry and serving the people of Glasgow and Galloway. My wife Elspeth and I already know many in the Diocese but are also looking forward to living there and getting to know the people and the area better. We shall be very sad to be leaving the people of Argyll and The Isles which we have grown to love deeply over nine years of ministry there.”
Bishop Kevin is married to Dr Elspeth Atkinson who is Chief Operating Officer for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Prior to that Elspeth was Director of MacMillan Cancer Support in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and for most of her career held senior roles in Economic Development in Scotland.
