The Right Reverend Brian Smith, Scottish Episcopal Bishop of Edinburgh, has now retired and the task of finding a successor is under way.
The Diocese of Edinburgh has over fifty churches within its boundaries, half of which are within the city of Edinburgh, but also bounding a far-reaching area along the Firth of Forth to the North, the whole of the Lothians, Falkirk and the Scottish Borders, to its southern boundary along the English border.
The process of choosing an new Bishop for the city is an interesting one which will last for four months. Here it is:
Nominations for the Bishop of Edinburgh are now open till 14 October 2011 and a form and Diocesan profile are available online or from the Edinburgh Diocesan office.
Nominations must have the consent of the Nominee, who must be an ordained Priest of the Anglican Communion. The Electoral process is governed by the Canons of the Scottish Episcopal Church, in particular Canon 4. This can be downloaded from the Provincial website.
Selected nominees will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and may be invited for a preliminary interview on 12th or 13th December 2011. The Preparatory Committee will prepare a list of not less than three and not more than five names as candidates for consideration by the Electoral Synod.
The names of those who are being considered as potential candidates are confidential to the Preparatory Committee.The shortlisted candidates will meet the Electoral Synod on Saturday 4th February 2012 and the election will take place on Saturday 11th February 2012.