Irish Wedding News
22/05/2015
The issue was being debated at the Kirk's General Assembly, and comes almost a week after a vote allowed congregations to appoint gay ministers in civil partnerships.
The Church's Presbyteries will now be asked to vote on extending this to ministers in same-sex marriages, before it can be approved.
They will be consulted under the process known as the Barrier Act.
It is expected the Presbyteries will debate the issue and return their votes by the end of the year.
If a majority of Presbyteries give their approval, the matter will return to the Assembly in 2016 where the final decision will be made.
Those opposed to the move have argued that it is contrary to God's law and would lead to resignations and divisions within the church.
Commenting on the Assembly's decision, Very Rev David Arnott, Coordinator of the Principal Clerk's Office, said: "The General Assembly understood this to be a logical extension of the benefits which accrue to those in civil partnership. Very Rev Prof Iain Torrance assured the Assembly the Theological Forum will bring a report on same sex marriage to a future Assembly, which we will look forward to. Out of a pastoral concern for the whole Church the General Assembly decided to pass this Overture to the presbyteries who will report to the Assembly in May 2016."
At the Kirk's gathering in 2011, commissioners voted to accept gay and lesbian clergy on the condition they had declared their sexuality and were ordained before 2009. In 2014, the general assembly voted to allow presbyteries to debate whether congregations could opt out of its traditional stance and appoint gay ministers.
(JP)
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Church Defers Same-Sex Marriage Decision
The Church of Scotland has said it has delayed its decision on the position of ministers who wish to enter same-sex marriages. The move is to allow for wider consultation on the matter.The issue was being debated at the Kirk's General Assembly, and comes almost a week after a vote allowed congregations to appoint gay ministers in civil partnerships.
The Church's Presbyteries will now be asked to vote on extending this to ministers in same-sex marriages, before it can be approved.
They will be consulted under the process known as the Barrier Act.
It is expected the Presbyteries will debate the issue and return their votes by the end of the year.
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If a majority of Presbyteries give their approval, the matter will return to the Assembly in 2016 where the final decision will be made.
Those opposed to the move have argued that it is contrary to God's law and would lead to resignations and divisions within the church.
Commenting on the Assembly's decision, Very Rev David Arnott, Coordinator of the Principal Clerk's Office, said: "The General Assembly understood this to be a logical extension of the benefits which accrue to those in civil partnership. Very Rev Prof Iain Torrance assured the Assembly the Theological Forum will bring a report on same sex marriage to a future Assembly, which we will look forward to. Out of a pastoral concern for the whole Church the General Assembly decided to pass this Overture to the presbyteries who will report to the Assembly in May 2016."
At the Kirk's gathering in 2011, commissioners voted to accept gay and lesbian clergy on the condition they had declared their sexuality and were ordained before 2009. In 2014, the general assembly voted to allow presbyteries to debate whether congregations could opt out of its traditional stance and appoint gay ministers.
(JP)
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