Church of Scotland considers allowing gay married people as ministers
The Church of Scotland’s General Assembly will debate whether married gay people should be able to be ministers.
The Assembly will discuss the matter in May 2016, and is based on a decision by a majority of Presbyteries who voted approve an Overture amending the Ministers and Deacons in Civil Partnerships Act.
Despite the Church in 2015 approving legislation to allow individual congregations to allow ministers or deacons in civil partnerships, those in same-sex marriages remained banned.
An amendment was proposed which would extend permission to allow congregations to consider inducting or appointing a minister or deacon who was in a same-sex marriage.
Returns were due by December 31, 2015 and all of these responses were received by the Principal Clerk the Very Rev John Chalmers.
A total of 25 Presbyteries voted in favour with 19 against with one Presbytery tied.
A Church of Scotland spokesman said: “Now Presbyteries have returned their votes, we will begin making arrangements to report the outcome of the vote to Commissioners at the General Assembly next May.
“They will hold a debate and vote on whether to make this proposed legislation into standing Church Law through the passing of the Act.”
A statement from the church said: “The General Assembly will have the final say on this matter.”
