Same-sex couples can finally get wed in Kirk
Ministers given choice to conduct ceremonies
THE Church of Scotland has voted to allow its clergy to conduct samesex weddings for the first time.
The historic decision was made yesterday at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, where 247 commissioners voted in favour of the motion, with 136 voting against it.
The vote means church law will now let ministers and deacons be authorised celebrants to conduct same-sex ceremonies.
A report presented to the General Assembly said no one would be required to carry out the ceremonies – only those who explicitly wished to do so.
Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly, said: ‘The Church of Scotland is a broad church and there are diverse views on the subject of same-sex marriage among its members.
‘There has been a lengthy, prayerful and in-depth discussion and debate about this topic for many years at all levels of the church to find a solution that respects diversity and values the beliefs of all.
‘The church is committed to ensuring that debates on this subject are held in a spirit of humility and grace, the tone and tenor of discussions are civil and people are respectful of those who hold opposing views.’
All celebrants would be expected to take account of the ‘peace and unity and pastoral needs of the congregation and any parish or other grouping of which it is a part’ when considering conducting a same-sex marriage ceremony.
Rev Craig Dobney, who backed the move, said: ‘I’ve seen the heartbreak of those in same-sex relationships in our congregations who are unable to marry in their home church, devout Christians though they are.’
Rev Ben Thorp said: ‘If we choose in favour of this motion, then it will cease to become an institutional position and becomes a personal decision, and individual ministers will be making a personal decision.
‘When asked, can you marry us, the answer will have to be no, because I choose not to, rather than no, that’s something that I cannot do – and that creates pastoral difficulties.’ Meanwhile, the Covenant Fellowship Scotland, a think tank of evangelicals within the Church of Scotland, called the decision ‘unbiblical and sinful’.
Under the new arrangements, only a parish minister who has become a celebrant will be permitted the use of a church building in their charge for the solemnisation of same-sex marriages. However, they would also be able to grant consent to other celebrants to use the building for this purpose .