Support Letter Issued for Bishop Facing Bullying Allegations

The first woman to serve as a bishop in Scotland, who faced accusations of bullying, has garnered support to remain in her position covering Orkney and Aberdeen. The Right Reverend Anne Dyer had been suspended in 2022 and was scheduled to undergo a disciplinary tribunal following three complaints lodged against her. Nevertheless, after conducting a review, the independent procurator for the church stated earlier this month that pursuing a tribunal would not serve the public interest. Bishop Anne, who has consistently denied the accusations, was anticipated to resume her duties last week, but it was revealed on Friday that she was on sick leave. Subsequently, over 20 members of the Scottish Episcopal Church have expressed their support for her return in a letter published in the Church Times. Paul Reid KC, the Church’s procurator, had opted to discontinue several bullying charges against her, even though he found sufficient evidence to establish a “realistic prospect” of conviction under church law. Bishop Anne had expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating her anticipation of resuming the full scope of her responsibilities in service of her diocese “in the days and weeks ahead”. Subsequently, four of the church’s Bishops, among them the Primus, the Most Reverend Mark Strange, encouraged her to reconsider her position. Through an open letter, he prompted her to reflect on “whether she is still the right person to lead the Diocese”. Bishop Anne characterized this intervention as “ill-considered and inflammatory” and alleged that her colleagues had threatened her in “an unprofessional and un-Christian manner”. Currently, twenty-three clergy and lay members of the Scottish Episcopal Church from Shetland, along with a priest residing in Orkney, have penned their own open letter advocating for her return. They conveyed their “deep sorrow” regarding what they termed a “naive and cruel” and “utterly disgraceful” intervention. The letter advocated for “conversation, mediation, and reconciliation”.