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Church of Scotland to decide on gay marriage Kirk's General Assembly begins gay marriage debate
(about 17 hours later)
A proposal to allow Church of Scotland ministers to carry out gay marriages will come before the Church of Scotland's General Assembly later. The Church of Scotland should permit same-sex marriages, its General Assembly has been told.
The report will say there are no longer grounds to deny ministers the authority to preside over gay weddings. The Very Reverend Iain Torrance told the Assembly there was no theological reason to oppose the change.
It will also recommend that the Kirk apologises for failing to recognise and protect the Christian vocation of gay people. 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 is considering whether to begin moves towards allowing same-sex marriages in church.
The governing body of the Kirk, holding its annual meeting in Edinburgh, is debating a report from the Theological Forum which proposes 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.
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."
The Assembly will be asked to agree the church's Legal Questions Committee should look at the practicalities of such a move.
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.