The Scottish Episcopal Church will today consecrate its first female bishop. Rev Canon Anne Dyer is to be officially consecrated as Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney at a service in St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen today at 1pm, according to The Herald.

Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said: 'It is a great privilege and honour to consecrate Anne as the new Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney and to welcome her to the College of Bishops.

'This will be a very special moment in the life of the Scottish Episcopal Church and it is heartening to hear of all the good wishes that people have expressed for the new stage of ministry and leadership that Anne now takes up in the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney.'

Strange will also preach at the ceremony.

The appointment of Dyer, the first female bishop in the denomination and a supporter of gay marriage, has proved controversial particularly in the conservative diocese.

In January Christian Today revealed that half the paid clergy in the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney had written an open letter to Scottish bishops accusing them of fostering 'disquiet and division' by electing her. Strange hit back at the letter with his own strongly worded response.

Despite the tensions, the service is set to go ahead as planned today.

Dyer previously said: 'I continue to look forward to my consecration and ministry as Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney with great anticipation. As the date approaches I am becoming increasingly aware of the demands of leadership in the diocese and of my new role within the wider church, and am grateful for the prayerful support in my preparation for this.'

Last year the Scottish Episcopal Church became the first Anglican Church in the UK to permit gay weddings, removing its understanding of marriage as being between 'one man and one woman'. Now clergy can opt in to a register to carry out same-sex weddings if they wish to.

Regarding gay marriage in the denomination, Dyer told The Press and Journal: 'Whatever view a person holds, they are welcome. It is the bishop's role to try to hold diversity together, to enable those who disagree to find common cause and purpose, and see Christ present in every person.

'But I imagine this is one matter which people will have much to say to me in the months and years to come.'

She added: 'I hope people will see me, first and foremost, as a committed Christian who wants to do the best in improving the lives of many.'