Kirk set to apologise for ‘history of gay prejudice’

THE Church of Scotland is considering an apology to gay people for its ‘history of discrimination’.

It could also be a step closer to letting ministers perform same-sex marriages.

A report to be debated at the Kirk’s General Assembly next month proposes that its legal questions committee studies the idea of allowing nominated ministers and deacons to carry out the ceremonies.

But church bosses want an opt-out for ministers who oppose gay marriage.

The paper, by the Theological Forum of the Church of Scotland, also calls for ‘the church to take stock of its history of discrimination at different levels and in different ways against gay people and to apologise individually and corporately and seek to do better’.

The report states: ‘As a church, we have often failed to recognise and protect the identity and Christian vocation of gay people, and we believe the church should acknowledge its faults.’

The study examines theological perspectives on same-sex marriage, from the traditionalist opinion that Biblical writers condemned same-sex acts, so the church had to forbid it, to more ‘inclusive arguments’.

The report continues: ‘There are those who are reluctant to extend use of the term “marriage” to same-sex couples on the grounds that what they do is unnatural.

‘The counter-argument is evidently that it is natural to them (homosexuality is more common in nature than may be realised).’

It concludes: ‘The forum does not believe there are sufficient theological grounds to deny nominated ministers the authority to preside at same-sex marriages.’

The proposal follows moves to appoint the first openly gay minister, the Rev Scott Rennie, in 2009, and last year’s decision to let ministers be in same-sex marriages.

Mr Rennie welcomed the report, saying: ‘What is more important than apologising is having the commitment to stop discriminating and to move forward.’

The Rev David Robertson, ex-Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland, said: ‘Since the Scott Rennie issue started, the Church of Scotland was set on a trajectory which would take it away from the Biblical and Christian tradition throughout the world.’

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: ‘There are many gay people of faith who would welcome the ability to be married in the church they attend. I’m one of them.

‘Right now, no Church of Scotland church and no Church of Scotland minister is permitted to carry out a same-sex wedding.

‘I hope this report helps to lift those restrictions and allows individual parishes and ministers to make those decisions.’

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: ‘I welcome this encouraging step on the road to full marriage equality.’