The Right Reverend Kevin Pearson became the 15th Bishop of the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway, upon his translation from the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles in the Scottish Episcopal Church, on 1st July 2020.
Bishop Kevin was born on 27th August 1954 and brought up in Sunderland, England. He studied History at the University of Leeds (1975), and then Divinity at the University of Edinburgh (1979) and the Edinburgh Theological College (1976–79). Bishop Kevin is the only member of the current College of Bishops to have been trained in and by the Scottish Episcopal Church.
He was ordained deacon at Petertide (1st June 1979) and priest the following Petertide (30th June 1980)—both times by John Habgood, Bishop of Durham at Durham Cathedral. His career began as Curate at St Mary’s, Horden (1979–81), following which he was invited to become Chaplain to the University of Leeds (1981–87). He was Rector at St Salvador’s, Stenhouse in the Diocese of Edinburgh (1987–93); Diocesan Director of Ordinands (1990–95), Provincial Director of Ordinands (1991–2011), and Associate Rector of Old Saint Paul’s, Edinburgh (1993–94). He was Priest-in-charge at St Peter’s, Linlithgow (1994–95), then Rector of St Michael and All Saints, Edinburgh (1995–2011), and the Dean of the Diocese of Edinburgh (2004–10). He was elected Bishop of the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles in late 2010 and consecrated in St John the Divine Episcopal Cathedral, Oban on 4th February 2011 (Candlemas).
On 18th January 2020, Bishop Kevin was elected Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway by the College of Bishops. His orders were translated to the Diocese on 1st July 2020 by letter, the planned enthronement on 4th July having been postponed due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of 2021, Bishop Kevin is serving on the Faith and Order Board and the Clergy Discipline Tribunal of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
He is married to Dr Elspeth Atkinson who is Chief Operating Officer for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Prior to that Elspeth was Director of Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and for most of her career held senior roles in economic development in Scotland.
Read more:
- The Right Reverend Kevin Pearson Becomes 15th Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway
- The Litany, written to acknowledge our debt of gratitude and love for the people Argyll and The Isles
- The Welcome for Bishop Kevin and Elspeth from the people of Glasgow and Galloway
- Messages for the Diocese from Bishop Kevin and Elspeth
- Bishop Kevin’s Reflection and Manifesto for the Diocese
- Sermon by Bishop Richard Holloway for the Enthronement of Bishop Kevin
