This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8064428.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Assembly to debate gay minister Assembly to debate gay minister
(about 2 hours later)
A debate is due to be held at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland over the appointment of a gay minister at a church in Aberdeen.A debate is due to be held at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland over the appointment of a gay minister at a church in Aberdeen.
The Reverend Scott Rennie was backed by a majority of the congregation and the local presbytery as the new minister at Queen's Cross Church.The Reverend Scott Rennie was backed by a majority of the congregation and the local presbytery as the new minister at Queen's Cross Church.
But some parishioners and 12 members of the presbytery have since said they had been unaware of Mr Rennie's sexuality.But some parishioners and 12 members of the presbytery have since said they had been unaware of Mr Rennie's sexuality.
The matter was referred to the General Assembly, the church's supreme court.The matter was referred to the General Assembly, the church's supreme court.
Mr Rennie, a 36-year-old divorced father-of-one, was previously a minister at Brechin Cathedral.Mr Rennie, a 36-year-old divorced father-of-one, was previously a minister at Brechin Cathedral.
'Live by Bible' FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme
He has said he was open with the congregation at Queen's Cross about being gay and living with his male partner.He has said he was open with the congregation at Queen's Cross about being gay and living with his male partner.
But more than 400 Kirk ministers and almost 5,000 Church of Scotland members are said to have signed an online petition opposing the appointment.But more than 400 Kirk ministers and almost 5,000 Church of Scotland members are said to have signed an online petition opposing the appointment.
One of those ministers, the Reverend David Randall, said he believed that "a minister is somebody who ought to live by the Bible".One of those ministers, the Reverend David Randall, said he believed that "a minister is somebody who ought to live by the Bible".
He said: "We believe that the Bible's teaching is quite clear in this matter - that marriage is the right and only context for sexual relationships.He said: "We believe that the Bible's teaching is quite clear in this matter - that marriage is the right and only context for sexual relationships.
"After all, if a minister sought to move in with a man, with a woman, to whom he was not married, that would obviously be unacceptable - how much more so when we're talking about a homosexual.""After all, if a minister sought to move in with a man, with a woman, to whom he was not married, that would obviously be unacceptable - how much more so when we're talking about a homosexual."
'Acknowledge diversity''Acknowledge diversity'
But the Reverend Ewen Gilchrist, caretaker Minister at Queen's Cross, said there should be more acceptance.But the Reverend Ewen Gilchrist, caretaker Minister at Queen's Cross, said there should be more acceptance.
"Sexuality is something that the church doesn't have a good track record about", he said."Sexuality is something that the church doesn't have a good track record about", he said.
"We constantly lock it up and frown about it. Here's an opportunity to welcome it, to acknowledge the diversity of human sexuality and to bring that richness into our life and worship.""We constantly lock it up and frown about it. Here's an opportunity to welcome it, to acknowledge the diversity of human sexuality and to bring that richness into our life and worship."
The Church of Scotland decided on a "period of reflection" when it considered the viability of gay relationships two years ago.The Church of Scotland decided on a "period of reflection" when it considered the viability of gay relationships two years ago.
The Kirk's editorially-independent in-house magazine Life and Work last month called on believers to come to terms with gay relationships.The Kirk's editorially-independent in-house magazine Life and Work last month called on believers to come to terms with gay relationships.
The Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, which has previously staged protests at the funerals of soldiers and Aids victims, has threatened to picket the General Assembly over the row. Its leader, Fred Phelps, has been banned from entering the UK.The Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, which has previously staged protests at the funerals of soldiers and Aids victims, has threatened to picket the General Assembly over the row. Its leader, Fred Phelps, has been banned from entering the UK.