Proposal for gay clergy in Church of Scotland to get final approval
A proposal to allow gay clergy to serve in the Church of Scotland has been approved by a majority of presbyteries, it has been officially announced.
The Church today confirmed that a majority of its 45 presbyteries have approved the so-called “mixed economy” overture, which allows individual congregations the freedom to appoint a gay man or women should they wish.
Preliminary, unofficial figures, suggest that around 30 presbyteries have backed the proposal, but the Kirk is yet to official announce the total.
The proposal will go back to the General Assembly for final approval once the final tally is announced.
Earlier this year, the General Assembly voted to further proposals to allow gay ministers to be appointed – amid threats of a split from more conservative groups.
The move was put up for discussion by the Kirk’s local presbyteries. The official break-down of the vote will be released in the new year, after all of the 45 presbyteries have concluded their voting process.
Having secured the backing of the local churches, the proposals will next head back to next year’s General Assembly for final approval, before becoming doctrine.
Her appointment came just a month after the church officially enacted a change to canon law to allow women to serve as bishops.
