THE RT REV DR NIGEL PEYTON BISHOP OF BRECHIN SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Relationships matter. Quality relationships enable people and communities to flourish, whilst poor relationships can be corrosive.

John Donne was perceptive when he wrote 400 years ago: “No man is an island, entire of itself”. No one is self-sufficient, we all rely on others.

Today I will be casting two votes about relationships. First in the general election in my local Dundee West constituency, and secondly at the annual General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church being held in Edinburgh where we have before us a proposal to change our canon law on marriage to allow the celebration by our clergy of same-sex marriages.

This general election seems to be all about constitutional relationships within the UK and with Europe – IndyRef2 and Brexit. Meanwhile, terrorism stalks the streets of Manchester and London, murdering ordinary people.

Uncertainty hangs over us. Like a family falling-out we face an unprecedented disruption of political, social and economic relationships we thought we understood.

In my lifetime personal and family relationships have undergone a progressive revolution. Homosexuality has long been decriminalised, divorce and remarriage destigmatised. Civil partnerships and gay marriage have found their place beside traditional heterosexual marriage, religious or civil.

The notion of family, parenting and household are redefined as more varied and fluid.

But things are changing. Same-sex marriage became law in Scotland in 2014 and since then both the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church of Scotland have encouraged an extended conversation about same-sex relationships within the life of the Church – what it means for membership and for ministers in a changing society.

The Scottish Episcopal Church now debates and votes under the glare of the media. I am sure that a range of views will be expressed and the result is certainly not a foregone conclusion.

Our proposal safeguards personal conscience and allows for a generous diversity of practice, so that heterosexual and same-sex relationships alike can be celebrated in the life of the Church, with church marriage as a choice for those who wish it.

I believe that we should always promote and celebrate permanent, faithful and stable relationships. Their flourishing brings joy to partners and promotes a healthy, tolerant society.

Christians believe that ultimately we are made in the image of God and that we can never be separated from God. No one is an island – relationships really matter.