Today at the
Church of Scotland’s General Assembly in Edinburgh ministers approved a measure
allowing clergy to marry their same sex partners.
This measure is
in addition to one in 2015 allowing ministers to enter into civil partnerships,
339 voted in favour against 215.
The Church’s
official stance remains that marriage is between a man and a woman.
However,
congregations can ‘opt out of this decision’ and clergy are free to marry.
Colin Macfarlane,
director of Stonewall Scotland, said: ‘Today’s result is great news for the
Kirk.
‘Empowering
Ministers to live their lives with honesty and integrity sends a powerful
signal to faith communities and society as a whole.’
The Queen of
the United Kingdom sent a letter acknowledging the charitable work the Churhc
has done, including its contribution to the United Nationsl limate change
conference in Paris last year.
‘At a time of
such upheaval and unrest across the world, it is reassuring to hear that the
Church of Scotland has made a particular priority of working to develop a
co-ordinated response to the issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers.’
‘This
international crisis requires a compassionate and generous response and we are
pleased that in keeping with your priority to serve the poorest and most
vulnerable, you are making such a valuable contribution,’ she said.
The last few
years have seen diminishing membership in the Church. A survey in April this
year suggests that 52% of people in Scotland are athiest.
In England,
Anglican clergy can in theory be openly gay but are expected to be abstinent.
Churches in Wales tend to be more liberal.
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