The Rt Rev. Brian Smith (pictured), Bishop of Edinburgh, intends to retire from the office of Bishop of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church on 15 August 2011. He was installed on 23 June 2001 following the retirement of Richard Holloway.
The Rev. Canon John Armes took up the office of Dean of the Scottish Episcopal Diocese of Edinburgh on 15 November 2010. The previous Dean, the Very Rev. Kevin Pearson, is the Bishop-elect of Argyll & The Isles.
In a letter sent to clergy of the Diocese of Edinburgh, Bishop Brian said:
“Like anyone who has passed the age when it becomes possible to retire, I have been giving thought as to when I should retire from being Bishop of Edinburgh. In part the timing of this needed to make reference to current vacancies in dioceses elsewhere in the Province and I have this week written to the Primus and indicted that I propose to retire on the date of my birthday in 2011 – August 15th. As I am already receiving invitations to events that will take place after that date, it seemed good to announce my retirement date now. Clearly there is much to be done between now and that date, and I ask that you remember Lissa and me in your prayers as we move towards it."
In accepting the invitation to take up the office of Dean, the Rev. Canon John Armes said:
“The next year or so is going to be both fascinating and demanding as we celebrate all that Bishop Brian has given us, and also try to discern what God is calling us to through the election of our next bishop. I’m thrilled, if at present somewhat overwhelmed, to find that, as Dean, I shall have such a key role in that process. “I shall do my best to learn the job quickly but I know that I need all the support and prayers that people can offer.”