Bishop Anne Dyer has failed in a bid to have her suspension over bullying allegations overturned.
The bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney was removed from office in August after the Scottish Episcopal Church received two official complaints about alleged misconduct.
She appealed against the decision, and the suspension was lifted pending further consideration.
But now the Scottish Episcopal Church has now announced the suspension should stand, after bishops refused the appeal by a majority of three to two.
Mrs Dyer – Scotland’s first female bishop – will be replaced by John Armes, bishop of Edinburgh, while the complaints are being investigated.
The Church said the suspension did not imply there had been any misconduct and does not constitute disciplinary action.
Pending decision whether Anne Dyer case will go to church trial
Mrs Dyer has been at the centre of controversial bullying allegations from within her diocese in recent years, which prompted an independent report last August.
The review described “systemic dysfunction” and called for her to step back permanently from her position – but she later claimed to be a victim of bullying herself.
In response, a three-person steering group was established to lead a mediation process with the aim of resolving the disputes.
The process, however, has been delayed twice since because of the need for more time to prepare the case and then the death of the Queen in August.
The church’s Preliminary Proceedings Committee is now expected to decide whether the complaints should be thrown out or be decided by a church trial.
Lawyers acting for Bishop Dyer said she had been subjected to a campaign of misinformation while being obliged by church processes to stay silent.
Callum Anderson, of the law firm Levy & MacRae, said: “As a result, an entirely one-sided and self-serving picture has been presented by a handful of people who fundamentally object to same-sex marriage and to Bishop Dyer’s appointment as the diocese’s first female bishop.
“Whilst Bishop Dyer is hugely grateful for the enormous support she has received from her wider diocese, clergy and congregations, she is clearly frustrated at being unable to respond publicly to the very personal and gruelling attacks on her.”
He added: “Following the three-two split judgement on her appeal, she is most keen to see a full, prompt and transparent accounting of the entire circumstances of this unsavoury episode.
“The speedy resolution of this matter must now be a priority, not just for the bishop but for the diocese and the wider church.”
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