Bishops in the Church of Scotland

There have not been bishops in the Church of Scotland since the Restoration Episcopacy of the 17th century, although there have occasionally been attempts to reintroduce episcopalianism.

By the third century, however, both the Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Catholic) Church adopted a system of bishops as their spiritual rulers.

Presbyterianians finally gained the upper hand, leading to the establishment of a separate Episcopal Church of Scotland in 1690.

On 10 February 1645 the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland approved a document produced by the Westminster Divines outlining the nature of Presbyterian governance.

[3]However, this lack of recognition for an office of episcopate distinct from that of a presbyter did not entail a rejection of the validity of ordinations by the Anglican bishops of the Church of England.

Presbyteries may be more transparent than bishops in their wielding of power, but they have often proved[citation needed] rather less good at the pastoral care of parish ministers, a problem with which the Church has frequently wrestled.

Negotiations for the proposed union were almost completed, and were ratified by the General Assembly, but were voted down by the Church of Scotland's presbyteries when referred to them under the Barrier Act.

An element of the proposed structure was again a form of episcopal oversight, whilst retaining elders from the Presbyterian system.