Four candidates shortlisted for the office of Bishop of Brechin

Four candidates have been shortlisted for the office of Bishop of Brechin.

The post became vacant in July following the retirement of the Rt Rev Dr Nigel Peyton.

The candidates were selected by a preparatory committee (chaired by the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church) consisting of clergy and lay church members who represent the Diocese of Brechin and the wider church.

The next stage is a meeting of each of the candidates with members of an electoral synod (representatives of clergy and lay church members from the Diocese of Brechin only) on May 26, with the election of the new Bishop on June 2.

The candidates are:

The Very Rev Dr Francis Bridger, Rector, St Mary’s Church, Broughty Ferry, and Priest in Charge St Martin’s Church, Dundee, and Dean of the Diocese of Brechin.

The Rev Markus Dunzkofer, Rector, St John the Evangelist Church, Edinburgh.

The Very Rev Jeffrey John, Dean of St Alban’s.

The Very Rev Andrew Swift, Rector, Holy Trinity Church, Dunoon and St Paul’s Church, Rothesay and Dean of the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles.

The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Most Rev Mark Strange, said: “I thank members of the preparatory committee for the work they have done and am delighted that four candidates are being nominated to the electoral synod. We hope the discernment in the electoral synod will enable them to elect a new bishop who will lead the Diocese of Brechin in its future ministry and mission, and hold each of the candidates and the diocese in our prayers during this process.”