THE Church of Scotland has taken a historic step by voting in favour of allowing openly gay men and women to become ministers.
Following an impassioned debate lasting almost six hours, its General Assembly voted to affirm its “current doctrine and practice in relation to human sexuality”, which stops gay people becoming ministers.
However, under a compromise hammered out during the debate, liberal congregations will be able to opt out of that and appoint gay clergy if they wish.
Over the course of the next year, a legal framework will be developed to accommodate the proposals, which will then be ratified by presbyteries, before finally being rubber-stamped by the General Assembly in 2015.
Senior Church officials described it as a “step-change” for the Kirk that would ensure unity.
The Right Rev Lorna Hood, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: “This is a massive vote for the peace and unity of the Church.”
But evangelicals warned of a “betrayal” of biblical truth that would force members to leave, while the Free Church of Scotland described the decision as “totally confusing”.
The ordination of ministers in same-sex relationships has
divided the Kirk since traditionalist members attempted to block the appointment of Scott Rennie, who is gay, in 2009.
The Assembly voted in support of Aberdeen-based Mr Rennie, but introduced an interim ban on ordaining other gay ministers until a special commission had studied the matter.
So far, two congregations have left the Kirk over the issue – St George’s Tron Church in Glasgow and Gilcomston South Church in Aberdeen.
Yesterday’s decision was as the result of an 11th-hour intervention by former moderator Albert Bogle, who stood down from the role on Saturday. Until he spoke, three options had been on the table.
The revisionist position promoted a “mixed economy”, in which openly gay ministers who were in civil partnerships could be ordained, but with a conscience clause for those who wished not to do so.
The traditionalists’ position would not have allowed any new appointments, but it offered legal protection from discipline to any openly gay ministers appointed before 2009.
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