Cumbernauld and Kilsyth’s presbyteries divided on gay clergy

JON SAVAGE PHOTOGRAPHU 07762 580971

OPENLY GAY REVEREND SCOTT RENNIE PICTURED AT SAINT COLUMBA'S BY THE CASTLE SCOTTISH EPISCAPALIAN CHURCH IN EDINBURGH TODAY AFTER HIS VICTORY LAST NIGHT OVER THE CHURCH ASSEMBLY MEETING. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN EDINBURGH VOTED FOR HIM TO BECOME A MINISTER IN ABERDEEN. — JON SAVAGE PHOTOGRAPHU 07762 580971 OPENLY GAY REVEREND SCOTT RENNIE PICTURED AT SAINT COLUMBA'S BY THE CASTLE SCOTTISH EPISCAPALIAN CHURCH IN EDINBURGH TODAY AFTER HIS VICTORY LAST NIGHT OVER THE CHURCH ASSEMBLY MEETING. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN EDINBURGH VOTED FOR HIM TO BECOME A MINISTER IN ABERDEEN.

Last week the Church revealed its figures which showed that overall two-thirds of its presbyteries are in favour of this proposal, allowing it to progress to May’s General Synod where the church will make its final decision.

Falkirk Presbytery, which includes Cumbernauld, voted 36 for and 52 against while the vote in Glasgow Presbytery, which includes Kilsyth, voted 127 for and 93 against.

The Reverend Robert Allan, presbytery clerk for Falkirk, said: “We held our debate on this in October and conducted the vote according to the guidelines we were given. It was a secret ballot and the result was the result. This is a sensitive issue and ministers have resigned over it.”

One local minister, who did not wish to be named, expressed opposition to the proposals on biblical grounds.

The issue has proven extremely contentious with several ministers and even some congregations leaving the church out of opposition to the proposals. Congregations on the Isle of Harris and in Glasgow have already voted to quit.