Audrey Cady Scanlan (born c. 1959[1]) is an American Episcopal bishop. She is the 11th and current bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania since September 12, 2015.

The Right Reverend

Audrey Cady Scanlan
Bishop of Central Pennsylvania
Bishop Scanlan in 2022
ChurchEpiscopal Church
ProvinceIII
DioceseCentral Pennsylvania
ElectedMarch 14, 2015
In office2015–present
PredecessorRobert R. Gepert (Provisional)
Orders
ConsecrationSeptember 12, 2015
by Katharine Jefferts Schori
Personal details
Bornc. 1959
DenominationAnglican
Spouse
Glenn
(m. 1984)
Children3
EducationWheaton College (B.A.)
Central Connecticut State University
Yale Divinity School (M.Div.)
Berkeley Divinity School
Hartford Seminary (D.Min.)

Personal life

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Scanlan was born in New York, and later moved to Connecticut as a child.[1] In 1980, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Wheaton College.[2] Scanlan married her husband Glenn in 1984.[3] After having three children and working in catering, Scanlan received a graduate degree in elementary education from Central Connecticut State University.[2][4]

Clerical career

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At age 40, Scanlan received a seminary education from Yale Divinity School, obtaining a Master of Divinity degree in 2003. That same year, Scanlan earned her Certificate in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School. She continued her education at Hartford Seminary, receiving a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2011.[2]

On March 14, 2015, Scanlan was elected to the post of Bishop of Central Pennsylvania, on the second ballot from a field of three candidates. Prior to this, she served in the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut. Scanlan received 79 of 147 lay votes and 50 of 79 clergy votes (74 lay votes and 40 clergy votes were required for election). Scanlan succeeded the Right Reverend Nathan D. Baxter, who retired in May 2014, as well as the Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert who had served as provisional bishop.[1] She is the first female bishop of the diocese.[4]

Social views

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Same-sex marriage

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Scanlan approves of the blessing of same-sex marriages.[4]

In 2016, the Anglican Communion, which the Episcopal Church falls under, voted to penalize the U.S. Church after it approved rites for the blessing of same-sex marriages. The Church was given a three-year ban from voting on policy decisions made by the Communion. Scanlan responded to the Communion's action by comparing it to a time-out which would not cause the church to "spend much time reflecting on the error of our ways," nor cause the Church to reverse its policy towards same-sex marriage.[5]

Gun control

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In 2023, Scanlan was a part of an interfaith group who called upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly to passed legislation to implement red flag laws, limit monthly gun purchases, and prohibit semi-automatic weapons and high capacity magazines.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Davies, Matthew (March 15, 2015). "Central Pennsylvania diocese elects Audrey Cady Scanlan as bishop". Episcopal News Service. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "The Rev. Canon Audrey Cady Scanlan". Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "Our Bishop". The Episcopal Church in Central Pennsylvania. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c DeJesus, Ivey (September 11, 2015). "Former caterer, teacher becomes area's 1st female Episcopal bishop after late-in-life calling". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  5. ^ DeJesus, Ivey (January 16, 2015). "Bishop compares church reprimand for embracing gay marriage to a 'time out'". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Hoopes, Zack (March 6, 2023). "Faith group asks legislators to take up gun reform measures". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2023.