Fiona Smith (Church of Scotland)

Fiona Smith
in 2025
Bornc.1970
Occupationlawyer => church minister
EmployerChurch of Scotland
Known forPrincipal Clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Reverend Fiona Smith (c.1970- ) became the Principal Clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2022. She was possibly the fortieth person to hold that role since 1572 and the first woman.

Life

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Smith was born in about 1970.[1]

She had worked as a lawyer in London[1] and in 2010 she became the minister of Inverness's Ness Bank Church. She served there until she gave her last service in April 2022.[2] She was succeeded as minister at Ness Bank by the Rev, Stuart Smith.[3]

Fiona Smith, Shaw Paterson and First Minister John Swinney

Fiona Smith became the Principal Clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2022. She was the first woman to hold the office succeeding Rev Dr George Whyte[4] who had held the post since 2017. He was one of about forty men who have held the position since 1572.[5]

The Principal Clerk's role is to be an advisor on church law and to support the annually elected moderator. She also advises on courses and education for the church.[6] When the 2024 moderator, Shaw Paterson, went to meet Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, then he was accompanied by the Principal Clerk.

She is a President of the Council of Christians and Jews. The CCJ has a number of Presidents who in 2024 were the Archbishop of Canterbury Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain,the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, the Moderator of the Free Churches, the Spiritual Head, Spanish and Portuguese Jews’ Congregation, Chief Executive, Liberal Judaism and Smith.[7] In 2024 the Scottish government organised an inaugural Faith and Belief Conference and Smith addressed the conference on behalf of the CCJ.[8]

Smith welcomed the appointment of Lady Elish Angiolini as Lord High Commissioner to the 2025 General Assembly. The moderator will be Rosemary Frew.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Picken, Andrew; Gibb, Bill (2018-05-20). "New Church of Scotland Moderator says we need to take steps in right direction to improve mental and physical health". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  2. ^ Glen, Louise (2022-05-26). "Former Inverness minister is first woman appointed to senior Church of Scotland position". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  3. ^ Scotland, The Church of (2024-06-07). "New Ness Bank minister is 'simply the best'". The Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  4. ^ Scotland, The Church of (2022-05-26). "New Principal Clerk of the General Assembly takes oath of office". The Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  5. ^ Scotland, The Church of (2022-05-11). "Tributes to Principal Clerk as he prepares to retire". The Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  6. ^ Scotland, The Church of (2021-12-20). "Church of Scotland announces Principal Clerk appointment". The Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  7. ^ "Who we are | CCJ". ccj.org.uk. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  8. ^ Scotland, The Church of (2024-10-30). "New conference highlights importance of interfaith dialogue". The Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  9. ^ Scotland, The Church of (2024-12-10). "Lady Elish Angiolini appointed as Lord High Commissioner to the 2025 General Assembly". The Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
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