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Kirk's General Assembly moves towards allowing gay marriage | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Church of Scotland has backed a report which could lead to same-sex marriages in church. | |
The Very Reverend Iain Torrance told the Assembly there was no theological reason to oppose the change. | The Very Reverend Iain Torrance told the Assembly there was no theological reason to oppose the change. |
But Prof Torrance, who convenes the church's Theological Forum, said it should not prejudice the position of ministers opposed to equal marriage. | But Prof Torrance, who convenes the church's Theological Forum, said it should not prejudice the position of ministers opposed to equal marriage. |
The Assembly accepted the forum's recommendations and a detailed plan will now be drawn up. | |
The governing body of the Kirk, holding its annual meeting in Edinburgh, considered a report from the Theological Forum which proposed that it approves a detailed study of how same-sex marriage ceremonies in church could be allowed. | |
It also called for the church to apologise for its past treatment of gay people. | It also called for the church to apologise for its past treatment of gay people. |
Prof Torrance said: "We see this as permissive rather than directive. | Prof Torrance said: "We see this as permissive rather than directive. |
"We say that after reflection we can see no sufficient theological reason for the Church now not to authorize specific ministers to officiate at same-sex weddings, if doing so does not prejudice the position of those who decline to do so for reasons of conscience." | "We say that after reflection we can see no sufficient theological reason for the Church now not to authorize specific ministers to officiate at same-sex weddings, if doing so does not prejudice the position of those who decline to do so for reasons of conscience." |
The Assembly agreed the church's Legal Questions Committee should look at the practicalities of such a move. | |
Marriage law | Marriage law |
Scotland has allowed same-sex couples to marry since 2014. | Scotland has allowed same-sex couples to marry since 2014. |
However, individual church traditions can each decide whether to participate. | However, individual church traditions can each decide whether to participate. |
Equal marriage has remained a divisive issue within the Church of Scotland. | Equal marriage has remained a divisive issue within the Church of Scotland. |
The report prepared for the General Assembly invited the church to take stock of its history of discrimination against gay people and to apologise "individually and corporately". | The report prepared for the General Assembly invited the church to take stock of its history of discrimination against gay people and to apologise "individually and corporately". |
The Scottish Episcopal Church, part of Anglican tradition, is expected to approve same-sex marriage when its General Synod meets later this year. | The Scottish Episcopal Church, part of Anglican tradition, is expected to approve same-sex marriage when its General Synod meets later this year. |
The Church of England will not conduct gay marriages, or allow clergy to be in a same-sex marriage. | The Church of England will not conduct gay marriages, or allow clergy to be in a same-sex marriage. |
The Scottish Episcopal Church move could intensify the split within the wider Anglican Communion of 85 million Christians. | The Scottish Episcopal Church move could intensify the split within the wider Anglican Communion of 85 million Christians. |
Last year the Communion sanctioned the US Episcopal Church when it decided to allow gay marriage in church. | Last year the Communion sanctioned the US Episcopal Church when it decided to allow gay marriage in church. |