The Times of London reports a priest has resigned her cure in the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney as she cannot in good conscience serve under a “bullying” bishop. On 14 Feb 2025 the newspaper reported the Rev. Canon Vittoria Hancock will step down in April as rector of St Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Aboyne and St Kentigern’s in Ballater in Aberdeenshire after eleven years of service.
In a letter to the congregations Canon Hancock said the stress and tension of serving under Bishop Anne Dyer had impacted her mental and physical health.
“As a priest I am required to renew my vows, to God and to the bishop, on a yearly basis,” she wrote. “While I am happy to vow canonical obedience I cannot, with honesty and integrity, vow to support and obey Bishop Anne personally.
“I am not willing to compromise my vows as a priest and am, therefore, left with no option except that of resigning my post.”
Canon Hancock said she prayed a new post would open up for her outside the diocese as she needed to find a place to live once she vacated the rectory. In a letter to church members Hancock said her departure, which will leave her without a home or paid employment.
In 2022 Bishop Dyer was suspended by the Scottish Episcopal Church to face charges of bullying. Following several investigations the SEC’s legal officer in 2024 held it would not pursue charges against Bishop Dyer as it was not in the public interest, despite sufficient evidence existing to provide “a realistic prospect of conviction in respect of each allegation”.
Canon Hancock wrote: “Bishop Anne’s continuing inability to admit any fault in the diocesan situation, or apologise when she has been found to have been in error, and her lack of pastoral care and understanding are contributory factors to this decision.
“The situation in the diocese over the last five years has been a source of stress and tension. This has not improved over the last few months, and both sides have become increasingly entrenched in their positions, with neither willing to compromise.
“The level of stress and tension has been exacerbated by my role in helping to provide pastoral care for clergy and readers over the last two years, and especially since the reinstatement of Bishop Anne.”
“Pray for the situation in the diocese, for Bishop Anne. Pray for me that I may find another post — not just any post, but the right post — and that in the waiting time, the logistics of where to live, what to do with my possessions, and what to live on, become clear.”
Bishop Dyer confirmed on 13 Feb 2025 that Canon Hancock would be leaving the diocese. “Please hold Vittoria in your prayers,” she said.
