Bishop homophobia claims 'baseless' say church members

Bishop Anne Dyer denies complaints of bullying

Members of the Scottish Episcopal Church who raised concerns about the behaviour of Scotland's first female bishop are urging its senior leader to address what they have described are "baseless accusations" of homophobia and misogyny.

In an open letter to the Church's Primus, the Most Reverend Mark Strange, six members claim that supporters of the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, Anne Dyer, have made false allegations against them.

They are now calling on the Bishop Strange to “disassociate” the Church from the accusations during the its General Synod, which started on Thursday.

Bishop Dyer was suspended in 2022 after complaints of bullying, which she denies. She is due to face an Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) disciplinary tribunal in September over three complaints.

A statement previously released by a spokesperson for Bishop Anne said she was the subject of a campaign by people who want to “force her from office due to beliefs on issues such as female bishops and same sex marriage”.

In the letter, the church members said: “Bishop Anne’s spokesperson, or spokespeople have repeatedly made the baseless accusation that the complainers are homophobes and misogynists.”

It adds: “We respectfully ask that you take the opportunity in your opening remarks at General Synod on 13 June to disassociate the SEC from the baseless accusations that have been made against complainers; and state unequivocally that you do not believe that complainers are motivated by homophobia or misogyny.”

The SEC said it would not be providing a response.