THE diocese of Edinburgh on Sunday elected a latest bishop, Dr Dagmar Winter, who’s currently the Bishop of Huntingdon. She will take up her latest post later this yr.
Dr Winter was elected following the retirement of the Dr John Armes, who served the diocese as Bishop for 13 years.
Dr Winter said: “I’m hugely honoured to have been elected as the subsequent Bishop of Edinburgh and would really like to thank most warmly all those involved within the thorough process in electing me.
“I rejoice in the range and inclusivity of the diocese of Edinburgh and may’t wait to get to know all of the clergy and other people in the costs from the Tweed to the Firth of Forth. I firmly imagine that the Scottish Episcopal Church has a singular voice to share in today’s world, and I’m committed to supporting and inspiring all who contribute to its mission and ministry and to raising its profile further.”
Dr Winter is of British and Swiss-German descent, and studied at the schools of Erlangen, Aberdeen and Heidelberg. She was ordained priest in 1997 within the diocese of Rochester, serving there and within the diocese of Newcastle, and was made an honorary canon of Newcastle Cathedral in 2011. She was consecrated Bishop of Huntingdon, a suffragan bishop within the diocese of Ely, in 2019, and served as Acting Bishop of Ely between May 2023 and January 2026.
Dr Winter is Vice-President of the Conference of European Churches, which runs “Pathways to Peace”, a coordinated response of the European Church to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Revd Mark Strange, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Bishop Dagmar as Bishop-Elect into this latest season of ministry within the Scottish Episcopal Church, and I’m looking forward to welcoming her to the College of Bishops. The gifts she brings will enhance the life and mission of the Church.
“Please keep Bishop Dagmar in your prayers as we plan her installation and latest beginnings in Scotland.”
In November 2023, Dr Winter was one among 44 Church of England bishops who signed an open letter supporting using Prayers of Love and Faith — blessings for same-sex couples — and calling for guidance to be issued to remove all restrictions on clergy entering same-sex civil marriages, and on bishops ordaining and licensing such clergy (News, 1 November 2023).
The Scottish Episcopal Church has 300 congregations across Scotland, in seven dioceses. The diocese of Edinburgh has 54 churches.
