Audrey Scanlan
# Audrey Scanlan

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

## Personal life

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

## Clerical career

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.

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. She is the first female bishop of the diocese.

## Social views

### Same-sex marriage

Scanlan approves of the blessing of same-sex marriages.

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.

### Gun control

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.

