View source for Scottish Episcopal Church

{{short description|Christian church in Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name               = Scottish Episcopal Church
| image              = [[File:Scottish_Episcopal_Church_logo2.png]]
| caption            = [[Logo]] of the Scottish Episcopal Church, depicting a [[mitre]] and two [[crosier]]s.
| slogan             = "Evangelical Truth and Apostolic Order"
| leader_title       = [[Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church|Primus]]
| leader_name        = [[Mark Strange]]
| branched_from      = Institutionally: [[Catholic Church in Scotland|Catholic Church]] and [[Church of Scotland]] <br /> Theologically: [[Church of England]]
| merger             = 
| separations        = 
| associations       = {{unbulleted list|[[World Council of Churches]]|[[Anglican Communion]]|[[Porvoo Communion]]|[[Action of Churches Together in Scotland]]}}
| main_classification = [[Christian]]
| orientation        = [[Anglican]]
| scripture          = [[Bible]]
| theology           = [[Anglican doctrine]]{{refn|group=nb|With various theological and doctrinal identities, including Anglo-Catholic, Liberal and Evangelical}}
| polity             = [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal]]
| founded_date       = Concordat of Leith 1572, [[Scottish Episcopalians Act 1711]]
| founded_place      = 
| headquarters       = [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]]
| area               = [[Scotland]]
| members            = 22,990 (2024)<ref name="2024 Annual Report">{{cite web |url=https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/42nd-Annual-Report.pdf |title=42nd Annual Report page 88 |accessdate=2025-06-02 |archive-date=31 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531124040/https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/42nd-Annual-Report.pdf|url-status=live }}</ref>
| ministers_type     = Active clergy
| ministers          = 370 (2010)<ref name="cofe"/>
| congregations      = 275<ref name="2024 Annual Report"/>
| website            = {{official URL}}
}}
The '''Scottish Episcopal Church''' ({{langx|sco|Scots Episcopal Kirk}};{{refn|group=nb|Attested quite variedly in each word in writings and speech according to [[subdialect]] (from identical to [[Standard English]] to notable "corrupt[ed] forms"), such as ''Scottis Episcopawl(ian) Kirk'', ''Episcopaulian Church'', ''Esculopian'', ''Episcopian'', etc.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004 |title="Episcopaulian n." |url=http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/episcopaulian |access-date=24 May 2022 |website=[[Dictionary of the Scots Language]]}}</ref>}} {{langx|gd|Eaglais Easbaigeach na h-Alba}}) is a [[Christian denomination]] in Scotland. Scotland's third largest church,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishlegal.com/2016/05/20/scottish-episcopal-church-could-be-first-in-uk-to-conduct-same-sex-weddings/|title=Scottish Episcopal Church could be first in UK to conduct same-sex weddings|date=2016-05-20|website=Scottish Legal News|access-date=2016-10-01|archive-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913144202/http://www.scottishlegal.com/2016/05/20/scottish-episcopal-church-could-be-first-in-uk-to-conduct-same-sex-weddings/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Scottish Episcopal Church has 303 local congregations.<ref name="Scottish Church Census No $">{{cite web|title=Scottish Church Census|url=https://www.dropbox.com/s/4tb7ehkxtt6yjwv/The%20Fourth%20Scottish%20Church%20Census%202016.pdf?dl=0#|website=Brierley Consultancy|access-date=28 May 2018|archive-date=22 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522140156/https://www.dropbox.com/s/4tb7ehkxtt6yjwv/The%20Fourth%20Scottish%20Church%20Census%202016.pdf?dl=0|url-status=live}}</ref> It is also an [[Ecclesiastical province#Anglican Communion|ecclesiastical province]] of the [[Anglican Communion]].

A continuation of the episcopalian "Church of Scotland" as intended by [[James VI]], and as it was from [[Stuart Restoration|the Restoration]] of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] to the re-establishment of [[Presbyterianism]] in Scotland following the [[Glorious Revolution]],<ref name="Pittock">{{cite book|last=Pittock|first=Murray|title=Poetry and Jacobite politics in eighteenth-century Britain and Ireland|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1994|series=Cambridge studies in eighteenth-century English literature and thought|volume=23|page=237|isbn=978-0-521-41092-2}}</ref> it recognises the [[archbishop of Canterbury]] of the [[Church of England]] as president of the Anglican [[Instruments of Communion]], but without jurisdiction in Scotland ''[[per se (Latin)|per se]]''. Additionally, while the British monarch holds the title of [[Supreme Governor of the Church of England]], in Scotland the monarch maintains private links to both the Presbyterian [[Church of Scotland]] and the Scottish Episcopal Church.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Established+Church+of+Scotland | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624180046/https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Established+Church+of+Scotland | url-status=dead | archive-date=24 June 2021 | title=Established Church of Scotland }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scotland.anglican.org/the-queen-remembered-part-2-rosslyn-chapel-hosts-a-royal-visit/ | title=The Queen Remembered, Part 2: Rosslyn Chapel hosts a Royal Visit | date=17 September 2022 }}</ref> The church is led by a Primus, who is elected from the seven Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church from among their number to serve as a ''[[primus inter pares]]'' or ‘first among equals’ as the Senior Bishop. The current [[primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church]] is [[Mark Strange (bishop)|Mark Strange]], elected in 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scotland.anglican.org/who-we-are/organisation/bishops-and-their-dioceses/#:~:text=The%20current%20Primus%20is%20the,of%20Moray%2C%20Ross%20%26%20Caithness | title=Bishops and their Dioceses }}</ref>

In terms of official membership, Episcopalians constitute well under 1 per cent of the population of Scotland, making them considerably smaller than the Church of Scotland or the [[Catholic Church in Scotland]]. The membership of the church in 2024 was 22,990, of which 16,124 were communicant members. The attendance at Sunday worship, as counted on Sunday next before Advent was 8,710.<ref name="2024 Annual Report"></ref> This compares with the figures from six years previously, in 2017, where church membership had been 30,909, of whom 22,073 were communicant members, and there was a Sunday worship attendance of 12,149.<ref name="2017 Annual Report SEC">{{cite web|title=35th Annual Report and Accounts SEC|url=https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/35th-Annual-Report-and-Accounts-for-the-year-ended-31-December-2017.pdf|website=The Scottish Episcopal Church|access-date=13 November 2018|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411202920/https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/35th-Annual-Report-and-Accounts-for-the-year-ended-31-December-2017.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Official name==
[[File:St Ninian's Cathedral, Perth (Scotland).jpg|thumb|[[St Ninian's Cathedral, Perth|St Ninian's Cathedral]], [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]]]]
The Scottish Episcopal Church was previously called the '''Protestant Episcopal Church in Scotland''', simplified at the General Synod of 1838 to '''Episcopal Church in Scotland'''.<ref>Goldie, page 85</ref><ref>''The Code of Canons of the Episcopal Church in Scotland'', R. Grant and son, 1838.</ref>

Although not incorporated until 1712, the Scottish Episcopal Church traces its origins including but extending beyond the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] and sees itself in continuity with the church established by [[Ninian]], [[Columba]], [[Kentigern]], and other Celtic saints. The Church of Scotland and the Catholic church claim the same continuity.

The church is sometimes [[pejorative]]ly referred to in Scotland as the "'''English Kirk'''", but this can cause offence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lanarkgazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/we_re_not_english_kirk_1_375144 |title=We're NOT English Kirk! - Local Headlines |work=Lanark Gazette |date=2008-04-04 |access-date=2012-08-13 |archive-date=4 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004053508/http://www.lanarkgazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/we_re_not_english_kirk_1_375144 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.scotsman.com/anglicanchurch/Church-fury-over-historic-mistakes.2792848.jp | location=Edinburgh | work=The Scotsman | first=Murdo | last=Macleod | title=Church fury over historic mistakes on 'English kirk' | date=16 July 2006 | access-date=5 February 2011 | archive-date=22 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522140158/https://www.scotsman.com/news | url-status=live }}</ref> This is probably in part due to the fact that it is, nonetheless, a union of the [[Nonjuring schism|non-juring]] Episcopalians with the "[[Qualified Chapel|qualified congregations]]" who worshipped according to the liturgy of the Church of England. It is also sometimes known as the "'''Laird's Kirk'''" because of its historical associations with the landed aristocracy of Scotland whose membership of the church exceeded that of other denominations. In the mid 1800s it was recorded that three quarters of the "landed proprietors of Scotland" were Episcopalians.<ref>https://www.newstatesman.com/node/193327 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/perth/stninianscathedral/index.html|title=St Ninian's Cathedral Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland|website=www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk|access-date=9 March 2021|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510225528/https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/perth/stninianscathedral/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of the Scottish Episcopal Church}}

===Origins of Christianity in Scotland===
The fifth-century [[Saint Ninian]] conducted the first Christian mission to what is now southern Scotland.

In 563 AD, [[Saint Columba]] travelled to Scotland with twelve companions, where according to legend he first landed at the southern tip of the [[Kintyre]] peninsula, near [[Southend, Kintyre|Southend]]. However, being still in sight of his native land he moved further north along the west coast of Scotland. He was granted land on the island of [[Iona]] off the [[Isle of Mull]] which became the centre of his [[evangelism|evangelising]] mission to the [[Picts]].  However, there is a sense in which he did not leave his native people, as the Irish [[Gaels]] had been colonising the west coast of Scotland for some time.<ref name=Fletcher_23>{{cite book |last= Fletcher|first= Richard|title= Who's Who in Roman Britain and Anglo-Saxon England|pages=23–24|year= 1989|publisher= Shepheard-Walwyn|isbn=0-85683-089-5}}</ref>

The Scottish Catholic Church would continue to grow in the centuries that followed, and in the 11th century [[Saint Margaret of Scotland]] (Queen Consort of [[Malcolm III of Scotland]]) strengthened the church's ties with the [[Holy See]], as did successive monarchs such as Margaret's son, [[King David I of Scotland|David]], who invited several religious orders to establish [[List of monastic houses in Scotland|monasteries]].

===Reformation===
The [[Scottish Reformation]] was formalised in 1560, when the Church of Scotland broke with the Church of Rome during a process of Protestant reform led, among others, by [[John Knox]]. It reformed its doctrines and government, drawing on the principles of [[John Calvin]] which Knox had been exposed to while living in [[Switzerland]]. In 1560, the Scottish Parliament abolished papal jurisdiction<ref>See [[Papal Jurisdiction Act 1560]]</ref> and approved Calvin's Confession of Faith, but did not accept many of the principles laid out in Knox's ''[[First Book of Discipline]]'', which argued, among other things, that all of the assets of the old church should pass to the new. The 1560 Reformation Settlement was not ratified by the crown for some years, and the question of [[Ecclesiastical polity|church government]] also remained largely unresolved. In 1572 the acts of 1560 were finally approved by the young [[James VI]], but under pressure from many of the nobles the Concordat of Leith also allowed the crown to appoint bishops with the church's approval.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Established Church of Scotland}}</ref> John Knox himself had no clear views on the office of bishop, preferring to see them renamed as "superintendents"; but in response to the new Concordat a Presbyterian party emerged headed by [[Andrew Melville]], the author of the ''[[Second Book of Discipline]]''.

The Scottish Episcopal Church began as a distinct church in 1582, when the [[Church of Scotland]] rejected episcopal government (by bishops) and adopted a [[presbyterian]] government by elders as well as [[reformed theology]]. Scottish monarchs made repeated efforts to introduce bishops and two ecclesiastical traditions competed.

===Episcopal government imposed by the Stuarts===
[[File:Churches of Scotland timeline.svg|thumb|right|500px|Timeline of the development of Scottish churches since 1560.]]
[[File:James I, VI by John de Critz, c.1606.png|thumb|right|200px|Portrait of James VI by [[John de Critz]], {{c.}} 1606.]]

In 1584, [[James VI of Scotland]] had the [[Parliament of Scotland]] pass the ''Black Acts'', appointing two bishops and administering the Church of Scotland under direct royal control. This met vigorous opposition and he was forced to concede that the General Assembly should continue to run the church. Calvinists who disliked the more ceremonious style of liturgy were opposed by an Episcopalian faction. After ascending to the English throne in 1603 James stopped the General Assembly from meeting, increased the number of Scottish bishops and in 1618 held a General Assembly in [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]]; this gathering adopted ''Five Articles'' of Episcopalian practices.  Many Scottish church leaders, and their congregations, responded to the Five Articles with boycotts and disdain.

James's son [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] was crowned in [[Holyrood Abbey]], [[Edinburgh]], in 1633 with full [[Anglican]] rites. Subsequently, in 1637, Charles attempted to introduce a [[Scottish Prayer Book (1637)|Scottish version]] of the ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'', written by a group of Scottish prelates, most notably the [[Archbishop of St Andrews]], [[John Spottiswoode]], and the [[Bishop of Ross (Scotland)|Bishop of Ross]], [[John Maxwell (bishop)|John Maxwell]], and edited for printing by the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], [[William Laud]]; it was a combination of Knox's ''[[Book of Common Order]]'', which was in use before 1637, and English liturgy in hopes of further unifying the (Anglican) Church of England and the (Presbyterian) Church of Scotland. When the revised ''Book of Common Prayer'' was used for the first time during worship on 23 July 1637 in St Giles' Edinburgh, it [[Jenny Geddes|sparked a riot]] which was so representative of the strength of popular feeling in Scotland that it indirectly precipitated the [[Bishops' Wars]] and this successful challenge of royal authority helped encourage many unhappy Irish Catholics into partaking in the [[Irish Rebellion of 1641]] and the already increasingly uncooperative [[English Parliament]] into likewise declaring war on the king in the [[English Civil War]]. As a result of the weakness of the king, Presbyterian [[Covenanter]]s were able to become the de facto government in Scotland until disagreement between the Scottish and English Parliaments over how to run Britain in terms of both civil and religious governance after the king was defeated led to another war and Scotland's conquest by the Covenanters' erstwhile allies the English Parliament's [[New Model Army]].

Following the [[Restoration (Scotland)|Restoration]] of the monarch in 1660, the government of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] reimposed episcopacy, and required all clergymen to swear allegiance to the king and bishops and renounce the Covenants, or be prevented from preaching in church. Up to a third, at least 27%, of the ministry refused, mostly in the south-west of Scotland, and numerous ministers also took to preaching in the open fields in [[conventicle]]s across the south of Scotland, often attracting thousands of worshippers. This was forcibly repressed by the government, in actions later dubbed [[The Killing Time]]. The conflict continued under [[King James VII of Scotland]] (also James II of England) until the [[Glorious Revolution in Scotland|Glorious Revolution]] led to his removal from power.

With the 1689 refusal of the Scottish bishops to swear allegiance to [[William II of Scotland|William of Orange]] whilst James VII lived and had not abdicated, the Presbyterian polity was finally re-established in the Church of Scotland. However, the [[Confession of Faith Ratification Act 1690]] (April c. 7) allowed Episcopalian incumbents, upon taking the [[Oath of Allegiance]], to retain their benefices, though excluding them from any share in the government of the Church of Scotland without a further declaration of [[Presbyterian]] principles. Many "[[nonjuring schism|non-jurors]]" also succeeded for a time in retaining the use of the parish churches.<ref name=EB1911/>

The excluded Scottish bishops were slow to organise the Episcopalian remnant under a jurisdiction independent of the state, regarding the then arrangements as provisional, and looking forward to a reconstituted national Episcopal Church under a sovereign they regarded as legitimate (see [[Jacobitism]]). A few prelates, known as [[college bishop]]s, were consecrated without sees, to preserve the succession rather than to exercise a defined authority. At length the hopelessness of the [[House of Stuart|Stuart]] cause and the growth of congregations outside the establishment forced the bishops to dissociate canonical jurisdiction from royal prerogative and to reconstitute for themselves a territorial episcopate.<ref name=EB1911/>

The Scottish ''Book of Common Prayer'' came into general use at start of the reign of [[William III of England|William]] and [[Mary II of England|Mary]]. The Scottish Communion Office, compiled by the non-jurors in accordance with primitive models, has had a varying co-ordinate authority, and the modifications of the English liturgy that would be adopted by the American Church were mainly determined by its influence.<ref name=EB1911/>

Among the clergy of post-Revolution days the most eminent are Bishop [[John Sage]], a well-known patristic scholar; [[Thomas Rattray|Bishop Rattray]], liturgiologist; [[John Skinner (poet)|John Skinner]], of Longside, author of ''Tullochgorum''; [[George Gleig|Bishop Gleig]], editor of the 3rd edition of the ''Encyclopædia Britannica''; [[Edward Bannerman Ramsay|Dean Ramsay]], author of ''Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character''; [[Alexander Forbes (bishop of Brechin)|Bishop A. P. Forbes]]; [[George Hay Forbes|G. H. Forbes]], liturgiologist; and [[Charles Wordsworth|Bishop Charles Wordsworth]].<ref name=EB1911/> Bishop [[James Sharp (bishop)|James Sharp]], a former moderate Covenanter and [[Resolutioner]], was appointed [[Archbishop of St Andrews]] and [[primate of Scotland]] in 1661. He was reviled by Covenanters, and his murder in 1679 led to an escalation of hostilities.

===From the Union of England and Scotland in 1707===
[[File:William Mosman - Prince Charles Edward Stuart, 1720 - 1788. Eldest son of Prince James Francis Edward Stuart - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|The death of [[Charles Edward Stuart]] (‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’) led to better conditions for church growth.]]

In 1707 Scotland and England were merged into a single [[Kingdom of Great Britain]]. The [[Scottish Episcopalians Act 1711]] protected the Episcopal Church, which marked its virtual incorporation as a distinct society. However, matters were still complicated by a considerable, though declining, number of Episcopalian incumbents holding parish churches. Moreover, the [[Jacobitism]] of the non-jurors provoked a state policy of repression in 1715 and 1745, and fostered the growth of new Hanoverian congregations, using the English Prayer Book (served by clergy who had been ordained by a bishop but amenable to none), who qualified themselves under the 1711 act. This act was further modified in 1746 and 1748 to exclude clergy ordained in Scotland.<ref name=EB1911/>

These causes reduced the Episcopalians, who in 1689 had been a large section of the population, to a minority, save in a few corners of the west and north-east of Scotland. Their official recognition of [[George III]], on the death of [[Charles Edward Stuart]] in 1788, removed the chief bar to progress.  In 1792 the penal laws were repealed, but clerical disabilities were only finally removed in 1864.<ref name=EB1911/> The [[Qualified Chapel]]s were gradually absorbed in the early 19th century.

After the independence of the [[Thirteen Colonies]], the Scottish Episcopal Church also took the step of consecrating [[Samuel Seabury]] at Aberdeen in 1784. He became the first bishop of the [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|American Episcopal Church]] after being refused consecration by Church of England clergy. In this way, it can be said that the Episcopal Church in the United States owes as much of its origins to the Scottish Episcopal Church as to the Church of England.

The Theological College was founded in 1810, incorporated with [[Trinity College, Glenalmond]], in 1848, and re-established at Edinburgh in 1876.<ref name=EB1911/> Theological training is now provided by the various dioceses and is supervised by [[Scottish Episcopal Institute]] (formerly, the Theological Institute of the Scottish Episcopal Church).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Scottish Episcopal Institute Appointment |url=https://www.scotland.anglican.org/scottish-episcopal-institute-appointment-2/ |website=The Scottish Episcopal Church |access-date=11 April 2022 |date=30 May 2014 |archive-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522140158/https://www.scotland.anglican.org/scottish-episcopal-institute-appointment-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1900 the church had 356 congregations, with a total membership of 124,335 and 324 working clergy.<ref name=EB1911/> Membership did not grow in the following decades as it was believed it would.

In 1989 there were approximately 200 stipendiary and 80 non-stipendiary clergy.  Membership was 65,000, with 31,000 communicants.<ref>Church of England Year Book 1990</ref>

In 1995, the Scottish Episcopal Church began working through a process known as ''Mission 21''.<ref>Foreword by [[Richard Holloway]] to Luscombe, 1996.</ref> Canon Alice Mann of the Alban Institute was invited to begin developing a missionary emphasis within the congregations of the church throughout Scotland. This led to the development of the ''Making Your Church More Inviting'' programme which has now been completed by many congregations. In addition to working on making churches more inviting, ''Mission 21'' emphasises reaching out to new populations which have previously not been contacted by the church. As ''Mission 21'' has developed, changing patterns of ministry have become part of its remit.

In 1633 Charles I remodelled [[Holyrood Abbey]] as a [[Chapel Royal]], and held his [[Coronation of the British monarch|coronation]] there with full Episcopalian rites. In this year he also founded the [[Diocese of Edinburgh|See of Edinburgh]] and appointed William Forbes as first Bishop of Edinburgh in the following year. He also appointed [[John Guthrie (bishop of Moray)|John Guthrie, Bishop of Moray]] as the first, and last, Episcopalian [[Royal Almonry|Royal Almoner of Scotland]]. The Abbey was lost to its protestant congregation as part of the events of the [[Glorious Revolution]] and eventually ruined. The Lord Bishop of Edinburgh and Anglican congregation were also evicted from [[St Giles' Cathedral]] following the Prayer Book riots in 1637. The office of Royal Almoner was made largely honorific then effectively secular, and by 1835 had merged into the responsibilities of the [[King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer]]. The current headquarters (the Scottish Episcopal Church General Synod Office) of the Scottish Episcopal Church is Forbes House, number 21 Grosvenor Crescent in the [[West End, Edinburgh|West End of Edinburgh]].<ref>{{Cite web | title=Archived copy | url=https://www.electricscotland.com/history/edinburgh/edinburghclub/holyrooditspalac00bryc.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810015515/https://www.electricscotland.com/history/Edinburgh/edinburghclub/holyrooditspalac00bryc.pdf | archive-date=2022-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scotland.anglican.org/terms-conditions/ | title=Terms & Conditions }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=What did the royal Almoner do in Britain and Ireland, c.1450-1700? | url=https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10023/3849/Houston2010EHR_almoner.pdf?sequence=1 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815030757/https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10023/3849/Houston2010EHR_almoner.pdf?sequence=1 | archive-date=2017-08-15}}</ref>

The primus does not have any metropolitan jurisdiction. Metropolitan responsibilities are held by the diocesan bishops. The last head of the Scottish Episcopal Church to hold both primate and metropolitan titles was Arthur Rose, Archbishop of St Andrews, up to his death in 1704. The last bishop to exercise metropolitan authority was Alexander Rose, Bishop of Edinburgh, up to his death in 1720.

===21st century===
In terms of official membership, Episcopalians constitute well under 1 per cent of the population of Scotland, making them considerably smaller than the Church of Scotland. In 2012 the church had 310 parishes with an adult membership of 34,916 and communicant numbers some 10,000 fewer at 24,650.<ref name="cofe">{{cite web
  | title = Scottish Episcopal Church
  | work = Bishops Selection Advisers Handbook
  | publisher = Church of England
  | url = http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/ministry/workofmindiv/vrsc/bissecadpan/advisershandbook/advisershandbookappendixb.html/
  | access-date = 2010-12-26}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/europe/united-kingdom/scottish-episcopal-church.html |title=Scottish Episcopal Church |publisher=Oikoumene.org |access-date=2012-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928222744/http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/europe/united-kingdom/scottish-episcopal-church.html |archive-date=28 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="churchtimes.co.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2013/14-june/news/uk/scots-need-greater-numbers-%E2%80%98to-pay-the-rent%E2%80%99 |title=Scots need greater numbers 'to pay the rent' |access-date=15 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624044221/http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2013/14-june/news/uk/scots-need-greater-numbers-%E2%80%98to-pay-the-rent%E2%80%99 |archive-date=24 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As with other churches in Scotland, attendance has declined over recent years: the overall figures reflect rises in some dioceses and decline in others,<ref>http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/media/k2/attachments/Scottish_Episcopal_Church___Membership__Attendance_1989_2004.pdf {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> but amount to an overall fall in attendance of 15 per cent between 2007 and 2012.<ref name="churchtimes.co.uk"/> The church's 2016 annual report noted a "continuing decline in overall numbers",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/34th-Annual-Report-and-Accounts-for-the-year-ended-31-December-2016.pdf |title=34th Annual Report: Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 |date=18 May 2017 |website=Scottish Episcopal Church |access-date=30 April 2018 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227195309/https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/34th-Annual-Report-and-Accounts-for-the-year-ended-31-December-2016.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and in almost identical language it was reported in 2018 that the church faced "continuing decline in members and attendance".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-General-Synod-Agenda-and-Papers-1.pdf |title=General Synod 2018: Agenda and Papers |date= |website=Scottish Episcopal Church |access-date=7 July 2018 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303122029/https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-General-Synod-Agenda-and-Papers-1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> By the end of 2020 numbers had fallen further to 27,600 (membership) and 19,800 (communicants).  No meaningful attendance figures could be produced due to the legal restrictions on church attendance introduced in response to [[Covid-19]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/38th-Annual-Report-Final.pdf |title=38th Annual Report: Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 |date=26 April 2021 |website=Scottish Episcopal Church |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223124917/https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/38th-Annual-Report-Final.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
By 2021 membership had fallen by a further 32% from 2012 levels, to just over 24000.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Scottish Episcopal Church - 39th Annual Report | date=2021-12-31 | url=https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/39th-Annual-Report-Final.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522140228/https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/39th-Annual-Report-Final.pdf | archive-date=2022-05-22}}</ref>

At the close of 2024, the denomination had 275 congregations.<ref name="2024 Annual Report"></ref> The statistics for the denomination, by their dioceses were as follows:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Statistics for Scottish Episcopal Church - Dec 2024<ref name="2024 Annual Report" />
!Diocese
!Number of Congregations
!Membership
!Communicant Numbers
!Total Attendance
|-
|Aberdeen and Orkney
|36
|2,206
|1,577
|752
|-
|Argyll and The Isles
|22
|843
|608
|325
|-
|Brechin
|24
|1,366
|1,036
|517
|-
|Edinburgh
|53
|8,459
|5,599
|3,452
|-
|Glasgow and Galloway
|53
|3,823
|3,012
|1,633
|-
|Moray, Ross and Caithness
|40
|2,977
|1,929
|644
|-
|St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane
|47
|3,316
|2,363
|1,387
|-
|'''TOTAL'''
|'''275'''
|'''22,990'''
|'''16,124'''
|'''8,710'''
|}
In recent decades, the Scottish Episcopal Church has taken a left-of-centre stance on various political issues including economic justice and the [[ordination of women]].{{cn|date=June 2025}} A church canon was altered to allow [[same-sex marriage]] after it was formally approved by the General Synod in June 2017, making it the first major Christian church in the UK to allow same-sex marriages. The change was approved by six of the Church's seven dioceses, with only Aberdeen and Orkney voting against the proposal.<ref name="BBC same-sex">{{cite web |title=Scottish Episcopal Church approves gay marriage |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-40190204 |website=BBC News |access-date=2 June 2025}}</ref>

Following the vote, a number of individual congregations have begun to leave the church, although they have been obliged to leave their buildings and funds behind them.{{cn|date=June 2025}} In November 2017 a high-profile female supporter of same-sex marriage, [[Anne Dyer]] was appointed Bishop of the theologically traditionalist Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney by the other bishops, rather than elected as usual. (This was because the diocese had twice been unable to produce the minimum number of candidates for an election.) Although the appointment drew protests, which the primus attacked as "subversion",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/12-january/news/uk/scottish-primus-accuses-protesters-against-next-bishop-of-aberdeen-orkney-of-subversion |title=Scottish Primus accuses protesters against next Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney of 'subversion' |date=8 January 2018 |newspaper=[[Church Times]] |place=London |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121517/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/12-january/news/uk/scottish-primus-accuses-protesters-against-next-bishop-of-aberdeen-orkney-of-subversion |url-status=live }}</ref> Dyer was nevertheless consecrated in March 2018.<ref name="female Bish">{{Cite news|url=http://www.scotland.anglican.org/first-female-bishop-scottish-episcopal-church-elected-new-bishop-aberdeen-orkney/|title=First female Bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church is elected the new Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney - The Scottish Episcopal Church|date=2017-11-09|work=The Scottish Episcopal Church|access-date=2017-12-11|language=en-GB|archive-date=21 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121140733/http://www.scotland.anglican.org/first-female-bishop-scottish-episcopal-church-elected-new-bishop-aberdeen-orkney/|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of clergy subsequently resigned, and in January 2019 the [[Westhill Community Church]] in Aberdeen voted to leave the SEC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/01/aberdeen-congregation-votes-to-cede-from-the-scottish-episcopal-church.aspx|title=Aberdeen congregation votes to secede from the Scottish Episcopal Church|website=www.anglicannews.org|access-date=18 January 2019|archive-date=18 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118215424/https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/01/aberdeen-congregation-votes-to-cede-from-the-scottish-episcopal-church.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Scottish Episcopal Institute]], a theological college for the whole of the Scottish Episcopal Church, was founded in 2015. It provides training for both lay ministers and ordained clergy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-20 |title=The Scottish Episcopal Institute |url=https://sei.scot/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=The Scottish Episcopal Institute |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Structure==

===Bishops and Primus===
{{see also|List of Anglican dioceses in the United Kingdom and Ireland}}
[[File:Dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church.png|thumb|Map of the dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church]]
As an episcopal denomination, the church is governed by bishops, differentiating it from the national [[Church of Scotland]] which is [[presbyterian]] and governed by elders. However, unlike the Church of England, the bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church are elected in a procedure involving clergy and laity of the vacant diocese voting at an electoral [[synod]].

The church is composed of seven dioceses, each with its own bishop:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Diocese !! Present bishop
|-
| [[Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney]]  || [[Anne Dyer]] (consecrated 1 March 2018)
|-
| [[Diocese of Argyll and The Isles (Episcopal)|Diocese of Argyll and The Isles]] || [[David Railton (bishop)|David Railton]] (consecrated 24 August 2024)
|-
| [[Diocese of Brechin (Episcopalian)|Diocese of Brechin]] || [[Andrew Swift (bishop)|Andrew Swift]] (consecrated 25 August 2018)
|-
| [[Diocese of Edinburgh]] || [[John Armes]] (consecrated 12 May 2012)
|-
| [[Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway]] || [[Nicholas Bundock]] (consecrated 4 May 2025)
|-
| [[Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness]] || [[Mark Strange (bishop)|Mark Strange]] (consecrated 13 October 2007)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.anglican.org/index.php/news/entry/new_bishop_of_moray_ross_caithness_consecrated/|title=News and Issues - The Scottish Episcopal Church|access-date=23 December 2012|archive-date=15 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315151942/http://www.scotland.anglican.org/index.php/news/entry/new_bishop_of_moray_ross_caithness_consecrated/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane]] ||[[Ian Paton (bishop)|Ian Paton]] (consecrated 20 October 2018)
|}

All [[Episcopal See|sees]] except Edinburgh (founded by [[Charles I of England|Charles I]]) stem from sees of the Catholic Church in Scotland. The bishops of the Episcopal Church are direct successors of the prelates consecrated to Scottish sees at the Restoration.<ref name=EB1911/> The bishops are addressed ''[[Right Reverend]]''.

The College of Bishops constitutes the episcopal synod, the supreme court of appeal.<ref name=EB1911/>

This synod elects from among its own members a presiding Bishop who has the title of Primus (the title originates from the Latin phrase ''[[Primus inter pares]]''{{snd}}'First among equals').

The [[Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church]], the presiding [[bishop]] of the Scottish Episcopal Church, is elected by the episcopal synod from among its members. His duties are:
* to preside at all Provincial Liturgical Functions
* to preside at all meetings of the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church
* to preside at all meetings of the Episcopal Synod
* to declare and carry out the resolutions of the General Synod, the Episcopal Synod and the College of Bishops
* to represent the Scottish Episcopal Church in its relation to all other Churches of the Anglican Communion and other Communions
* to perform the functions and duties of Primus as specified in the Canons of the Scottish Episcopal Church
* to correspond on behalf of the Scottish Episcopal Church with Primates, Metropolitans and the Secretary General of the [[Anglican Consultative Council]].

The incumbent is [[Mark Strange (bishop)|Mark Strange]], who was elected on 27 June 2017.

The Primus does not have any [[Metropolitan bishop|metropolitan]] jurisdiction—the last to hold such jurisdiction was Archbishop [[Arthur Rose]] (of St Andrews) up to his death in 1704.<ref>"A Short History of the Episcopal Church in Scotland" by Frederick Goldie (revised edition - 1975) {{ISBN|0-7152-0315-0}}</ref> The Primus is addressed ''[[Most Reverend]]''.

===Representative bodies===
The church is governed by the [[General Synod]]. This consists of the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy and the House of Laity. The General Synod makes [[canon law]], administers finance and monitors the work of the boards and committees of the Church. Most decisions are arrived at by a simple majority of members of the General Synod voting together. More complex legislation, such as changes to the Code of Canons requires each of the Houses to agree and to vote in favour by a two-thirds majority.

Each diocese has its synod of the clergy and laity. Its [[dean (religion)|dean]] (similar to an [[archdeacon]] in the Church of England) is appointed by the bishop, and, on the voidance of the [[Episcopal see|see]], summons the diocesan synod, at the instance of the primus, to choose a bishop.<ref name=EB1911>{{EB1911|wstitle=Scotland, Episcopal Church of|volume=9|pages=467–468|authorlink=James Simpson (priest)|author=James Gilliland Simpson|inline=1}}</ref> Each diocese has one or more (in the case of some united dioceses) [[cathedral]]s. The senior [[priest]] of a Scottish Episcopal cathedral is styled as provost (as the title of "dean" is given to the senior priest of the diocese as a whole, see above). The only exception in Scotland is the [[Cathedral of the Isles]] on the island of [[Great Cumbrae]] which has been led by a member of the clergy styled as [[Precentor]]. Diocesan deans and cathedral provosts are both addressed as ''[[Very Reverend]]''.

==Worship and liturgy==
[[File:Scottish Liturgy 1982 and Scottish Ordinal 1984.jpg|thumb|140px|The ''Scottish Liturgy 1982'' and 2006 edition of the ''Scottish Ordinal 1984'']]

The Scottish Episcopal Church is mainly in the [[High Church]] (or [[Anglo-Catholic]]) tradition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldmap.org/uploads/9/3/4/4/9344303/uk.pdf |title=Mission Atlas Project: United Kingdom |page=31 |website=worldmap.org |access-date=11 December 2017 |archive-date=12 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212084118/http://www.worldmap.org/uploads/9/3/4/4/9344303/uk.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

It embraces three orders of ministry: deacon, priest (referred to in the ''[[Scottish Prayer Book (1929)|Scottish Prayer Book]]'' as presbyter) and bishop. Increasingly, an emphasis is being placed on these orders to work collaboratively within the wider ministry of the whole people of God.{{Citation needed|reason=The second sentence probably needs a citation to back it up|date=January 2021}}

===Liturgies===
{{main|Scottish Prayer Book (1929)}}
In addition to the ''Scottish Prayer Book'' of 1929, the church has a number of other [[liturgy|liturgies]] available to it. In recent years, revised Funeral Rites have appeared, along with liturgies for Christian Initiation (e.g. [[Baptism]] and [[Confirmation|Affirmation]]) and [[Marriage]]. The modern [[Eucharist]]ic rite (Scottish Liturgy 1982) includes Eucharistic [[prayer]]s for the various seasons in the [[Liturgical Year]] and is commonly known as "The Blue Book", a reference to the colour of its covers. A further Eucharistic prayer is provided in the Marriage liturgy.

==Doctrine and practice==
{{Religion in Scotland|sidebar=yes}}
{{See also|Anglicanism|Anglican doctrine}}

This balance of scripture, tradition and reason is traced to the work of [[Richard Hooker]], a sixteenth-century apologist. In Hooker's model, scripture is the primary means of arriving at doctrine and things stated plainly in scripture are accepted as true. Issues that are ambiguous are determined by tradition, which is checked by reason.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anglicanlistening.org/anglican_listening_61766_ENG_HTM.htm |title=Listening in Scripture: Foundation for Listening |website=Anglican Listening |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723214242/http://www.anglicanlistening.org/anglican_listening_61766_ENG_HTM.htm |archive-date=23 July 2008 |url-status=dead}} goes into detail on how scripture, tradition, and reason work to "uphold and critique each other in a dynamic way".</ref>

===Social issues===
The Scottish Episcopal Church has been involved in [[Scottish politics]].

The church was one of the parties involved in the [[Scottish Constitutional Convention]], which laid the groundwork for the creation of the devolved [[Scottish Parliament]] in 1999. Canon [[Kenyon Wright]] of the Episcopal Church chaired the convention (1989–1999).

The church actively supports the work of the [[Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office]] in Edinburgh and the [[Society, Religion and Technology Project]].

All orders of ministry are open to both male and female candidates. On 9 November 2017, the first woman, [[Anne Dyer]], was elected bishop in the Episcopal Church in Scotland. She was consecrated as Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney in March 2018.<ref name="female Bish" />

In the area of human sexuality, a debate continued for many years as to the propriety of fully permitting the presence of non-celibate lesbian and gay church members (there never having been a prohibition on membership or ordination of celibate homosexuals). In 2000, a former primate called for the church to bless same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/bless-gay-couples-says-bishop-1.232447|title=Bless gay couples, says bishop|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-23|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617123924/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/bless-gay-couples-says-bishop-1.232447|url-status=live}}</ref> Clergy became able to enter into a same-sex [[Civil partnership in the United Kingdom|civil partnership]] in 2005, and the church does not require sexual abstinence of such civil unions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/death.sentence.deportation.of.iraqi.christians.stayed.after.aclu.court.action/110004.htm|title='Death sentence' deportation of Iraqi Christians stayed after ACLU court action {{!}} Christian News on Christian Today|website=www.christiantoday.com|date=16 June 2017 |language=en|access-date=2017-06-18|archive-date=16 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616122100/https://www.christiantoday.com/article/death.sentence.deportation.of.iraqi.christians.stayed.after.aclu.court.action/110004.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2008, [[St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow]] has offered blessings for civil partnerships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weddings.thecathedral.org.uk/2011/04/02/same-sex-nuptials/|title=Same-Sex Nuptials|date=2011-04-02|website=Weddings at St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow|access-date=2017-06-18|archive-date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606120212/http://weddings.thecathedral.org.uk/2011/04/02/same-sex-nuptials/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015 the General Synod passed a vote which led to the first stage of approval formal blessings of [[Same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom|same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/06/12/scottish-episcopal-church-passes-intial-vote-in-favour-of-same-sex-marriage/|title=Scottish Episcopal Church passes initial vote in favour of same-sex marriage|date=12 June 2015|access-date=15 October 2015|archive-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002203032/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/06/12/scottish-episcopal-church-passes-intial-vote-in-favour-of-same-sex-marriage/|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of congregations have hosted the blessings of same-sex couples including St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow and [[St Paul's Cathedral, Dundee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/dundee/dundee-cathedral-hosts-historic-same-sex-marriage-1.894036|title=Dundee cathedral hosts historic same-sex marriage|website=www.thecourier.co.uk|access-date=2016-04-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412194318/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/dundee/dundee-cathedral-hosts-historic-same-sex-marriage-1.894036|archive-date=12 April 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, the General Synod voted in favour of changing the canon of marriage to include same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/06/scottish-episcopal-church-takes-first-step-towards-same-sex-marriage.aspx|title=Scottish Episcopal Church takes first step towards same sex marriage|website=www.anglicannews.org|access-date=2016-06-10|archive-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611141437/http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/06/scottish-episcopal-church-takes-first-step-towards-same-sex-marriage.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The change was formally approved by the church in June 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/08/scottish-episcopal-church-votes-to-allow-same-sex-weddings|date=8 June 2017|work=The Guardian|title=Scottish Episcopal church votes to allow same-sex weddings|access-date=9 June 2017|archive-date=26 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426172740/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/08/scottish-episcopal-church-votes-to-allow-same-sex-weddings|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, at the Anglican Communion [[Anglican Communion Primates' Meetings|primates' meeting]] in October 2017 the Scottish Episcopal Church was suspended for three years from communion "decision making on any issues of doctrine or polity", a mirror of the sanction applied to the U.S. [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]] in 2016 for the same reason.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/311326/communiqu%C3%A9-primates-meeting-2017.pdf|title=Communiqué from the Primates' Meeting|date=6 October 2017|publisher=Anglican Communion|access-date=15 January 2019|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417123802/https://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/311326/communiqu%C3%A9-primates-meeting-2017.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Ecumenical relations===
Like many other Anglican churches, the Scottish Episcopal Church has entered into [[full communion]] with the [[Old Catholic Church|Old Catholics]] of the [[Union of Utrecht (Old Catholic)|Union of Utrecht]]. The Scottish Episcopal Church is also a member of the [[Porvoo Communion]] and is a member of several ecumenical bodies, including [[Action of Churches Together in Scotland]] and the [[World Council of Churches]].

In December 2009, there were reports that certain [[High Church]] traditionalists within the Scottish Episcopal Church were in favour of joining the [[Roman Catholicism in Scotland|Roman Catholic Church]].<ref>{{cite web
 |title        = Traditionalist Anglicans in Scotland celebrate Christmas
 |publisher    = Forward in Faith
 |date         = 2009-12-17
 |url          = http://www.forwardinfaith.com/artman/publish/article_498.shtml
 |access-date   = 2010-12-26
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110725160751/http://www.forwardinfaith.com/artman/publish/article_498.shtml
 |archive-date = 25 July 2011
 |url-status     = dead}}
</ref>

==Relation with the Anglican realignment==
Conservative members have organised in the Scottish Anglican Network and are associated with the [[Global Anglican Future Conference|GAFCON]]. The Scottish Anglican Network announced on 8 June 2017, the same day that the SEC voted to approve same-sex marriage, that they would be in "impaired communion" with the denomination, due to this decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gafcon.org/sites/gafcon.org/files/resources/files/item_2_-_press_statement_by_scottish_anglican_network_san_-_8th_june_2017.pdf|title=Scottish Anglican Network Press Statement, 8 June 2017|access-date=17 June 2017|archive-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923051119/https://www.gafcon.org/sites/gafcon.org/files/resources/files/item_2_-_press_statement_by_scottish_anglican_network_san_-_8th_june_2017.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The General Synod of the [[Anglican Church of Australia]] passed a motion on 7 September 2017, condemning SEC's decision to approve same-sex marriage as "contrary to the doctrine of our church and the teaching of Christ", and declaring itself in "impaired communion" with the province. It also expressed their "support for those Anglicans who have left or will need to leave the Scottish Episcopal Church because of its redefinition of marriage and those who struggle and remain", and presented their prayers for the return of SEC "to the doctrine of Christ in this matter and that impaired relationships will be restored."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://davidould.net/breaking-australian-general-synod-notes-sec-marriage-canon-contrary-to-the-doctrine-of-our-church-and-the-teaching-of-christ/|title=BREAKING: Australian General Synod notes SEC marriage canon "contrary to the doctrine of our Church and the teaching of Christ"|date=7 September 2017|access-date=22 September 2017|archive-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923051247/http://davidould.net/breaking-australian-general-synod-notes-sec-marriage-canon-contrary-to-the-doctrine-of-our-church-and-the-teaching-of-christ/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Global South (Anglican)|Global South]] Primates expressed their support for the Scottish Anglican Network at their Communiqué from 9 September 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/blog/comments/gsp_comm_cairo_sept2017|title=Global South Anglican - Global South Primates' Communique, September 9, 2017 (Cairo)|website=www.globalsouthanglican.org|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904172653/http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/blog/comments/gsp_comm_cairo_sept2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

To date nine churches have left the SEC since 2011, largely over the issue of the approval of same-sex marriage within the denomination. 5 joined Presbyterian churches and 4 GAFCON, through [[Anglican Church in North America|ACNA]] (list below):

* Christ Church, Harris (departed 2017)<ref>{{cite web |title=Profile: the new Anglican congregation in Harris |url=http://scottishanglican.net/christ-church-harris-accepts-oversight-from-bishop-andy-lines |website=Scottish Anglican Network |access-date=4 July 2019 |archive-date=4 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704094716/http://scottishanglican.net/christ-church-harris-accepts-oversight-from-bishop-andy-lines |url-status=live }}</ref>
* St Thomas's, [[Corstorphine]] (departed 2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.virtueonline.org/scottish-anglican-network-contending-learning|title=SCOTTISH ANGLICAN NETWORK: CONTENDING & LEARNING {{!}} VirtueOnline – The Voice for Global Orthodox Anglicanism|website=www.virtueonline.org|language=en|access-date=2018-09-23|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125143313/https://virtueonline.org/scottish-anglican-network-contending-learning|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Westhill Community Church (departed 2019)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wyllie |first1=James |title=Aberdeenshire church to break away amid gay marriage row |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/1656811/aberdeenshire-church-to-break-away-amid-gay-marriage-row/ |website=Press & Journal |date=19 January 2019 |access-date=4 July 2019 |archive-date=4 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704094719/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/1656811/aberdeenshire-church-to-break-away-amid-gay-marriage-row/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[St Silas Church, Glasgow|St Silas]], Glasgow (departed 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://virtueonline.org/st-silas-votes-leave-scottish-episcopal-church|website=www.virtueonline.org|title=St Silas votes leave Scottish Episcopal Church|language=en|access-date=2019-06-26|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626130050/https://virtueonline.org/st-silas-votes-leave-scottish-episcopal-church|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
*[[Bishop of Argyll and The Isles (Episcopal)|Bishop of Argyll and The Isles]]
*List of Scottish Episcopal churches
*[[Religion in Scotland]]

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Further reading ==
*[[William Carstares]], ''State Papers''.
* Kelsey Jackson-Williams (2020), ''The First Scottish Enlightenment: Rebels, Priests, and History'', [[Oxford University Press]]
*[[Robert Keith (historian)|Robert Keith]], ''Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops'' (Russel's edition, 1824).
*[[John Parker Lawson]], ''History of the Scottish Episcopal Church from the Revolution to the Present Time'' (1843).
*Thomas Stephen, ''History of the Church of Scotland from the Reformation to the Present Time'' in 4 Volumes (John Lendrum, 1844): [https://archive.org/details/historychurchsc07stepgoog <!-- quote=editions:SVbTZ0l0BWMC. --> Volume One] – [https://archive.org/details/historychurchsc02stepgoog <!-- quote=editions:SVbTZ0l0BWMC. --> Volume Two] – [https://archive.org/details/historychurchsc05stepgoog <!-- quote=editions:SVbTZ0l0BWMC. --> Volume Three] – [https://books.google.com/books?id=mlILAAAAYAAJ&q=editions:SVbTZ0l0BWMC Volume Four].
*[[Thomas Lathbury]], ''History of the Nonjurors'' (1845).
*[[George Grub]], ''Ecclesiastical History of Scotland in Four Volumes'' (Edmonston and Douglas, 1861): [https://books.google.com/books?id=CxdBAAAAcAAJ Volume 1] – [https://archive.org/details/ecclesiasticalhi02grub Volume 2] – [https://archive.org/details/ecclesiastical03grub Volume 3] –  [https://archive.org/details/anecclesiastical04grubuoft Volume 4].
*[[John Dowden]], ''Annotated Scottish Communion Office'' (1884).
*[[Frederick Goldie]], ''A Short History of the Episcopal Church in Scotland from the Restoration to the Present Time'', London, S.P.C.K, 1951. Revised edition Edinburgh, Saint Andrew Press, 1976. {{ISBN|0-7152-0315-0}}.
*[[Edward Luscombe]], ''The Scottish Episcopal Church in the Twentieth Century'', Edinburgh, General Synod Office of the Scottish Episcopal Church, 1996. {{ISBN|0-905573129}}.

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://anglicanhistory.org/scotland/ Historical resources on Scottish Anglicanism] from [[Project Canterbury]]
* {{Gutenberg author | id=34041| name=Episcopal Church in Scotland}}
* {{Internet Archive author |search=("Episcopal Church in Scotland" OR "Scottish Episcopal Church")}}

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