Scottish minister resigns over gay clergy
Another Church of Scotland minister has resigned over the issue of gay clergy.
The Reverend Roddy MacRae, minister of Glenelg and Kintail, said he would stand down after the Kirk’s general assembly voted to accept gay and lesbian ministers in future, BBC News reports.
A special church panel is to look at the issue of gay and lesbian clergy and will report back in 2013.
The church has not yet made a decision on whether celibate gay clergy or those in relationships could be ordained.
Research has found that one in five church members have said they will leave if out gay ministers are permitted.
However, one in ten said they will leave if the ban continues.
This is the first time the church has explicitly agreed a policy on homosexuality, church officials said.
Divisions in the church began in 2009, when the Rev Scott Rennie’s appointment caused deep tensions between traditionalists and liberals.
The minister, who lives with his male partner, was appointed as minister of Queen’s Cross Church, Aberdeen. His ordination was opposed by many in the church but his congregation voted overwhelmingly for him to become their minister.
