Historic deal lets gay clergy come in from cold
Man who sparked debate says it gives liberty to different traditions
THE openly gay Church of Scotland minister whose appointment caused years of unrest for the Kirk has called for opponents of same-sex ordination to respect the historic vote.
The Reverend Scott Rennie, who is currently in America, called for members to unite behind the General Assembly’s move that allows active homosexual men and women to hold the post after the previous ruling left him in limbo.
His appointment to Queen’s Cross Parish Church in 2009 was backed by the majority of his flock, and the General Assembly, but saw a protest and the break-away of a small number of congregations and ministers.
The Reverend Rennie said: “The General Assembly has reached a considered position which affirms liberty for people of different theological traditions. This decision enables us to live and work together – in unity – to share the love of God in our different communities.
“Congregations will be free to call the minister of their choice – be they lesbian, gay, bisexual or straight. It is my hope we can now move forward and unite around this historic decision, that all may freely serve.”
Gay colleague Libby Spence, of Ibrox, Glasgow, said she has feared for her acceptance within the Kirk for decades. She said: “I actually believe we’ve got bigger things to think about. Society has got bigger things to think about, the world needs us to do bigger things.
“However, f or me, personally, this debate is about me. It’s about me as a woman who serves a church of people for the last 18 years, a congregation for the last five years, who are nothing but supportive and loving.
“For me there is nothing bigger about whether I am accepted in this Church or not. From 1994 it’s been debated, am I accepted in this Church or not because I am a gay woman?
“It’s now time, it’s time to decide, so those of us who are in this limbo can get under the wire.”
The Reverend Jim Sharp said: “We are debating yet again the struggle for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons within the church. Then, as now, there were people on both sides of the debate waving the Bible and quoting selected chapters and verses, very often out of context. Ultimately the voice of the Holy Spirit was heard and justice was done.”
The Church said the “groundbreaking decision called for the Church to maintain its historic doctrine in relation to human sexuality but, in line with the Kirk’s historic position of allowing congregations to call their own minister, to permit an individual Kirk Session to call a minister in a civil partnership if it chooses to do so”.
The Kirk’s Legal Questions Committee and the Theological Forum will bring reports to next year’s General Assembly about how this will be achieved. In the meantime courts and committees of the General Assembly will maintain the status quo.
Rev Peter Johnston of liberal group One Kirk said there would be disappointment for both traditionalists and “those looking for equality”, adding: “The Church was always going to be seeking to have a compromise of some kind.”
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church, the Right Reverend Lorna Hood, added: “This was a major breakthrough for the Church but we are conscious some people remain pained, anxious, worried and hurt. We continue to pray for the peace and unity of the Church.”
A Free Church of Scotland spokesman said: “Thousands of people, including the Kirk’s own ministers, elders, members and adherents, will be taking stock of the situation, and an inability to make a simple and clear decision could cost the Church of Scotland dearly.”