'Many could quit Kirk' over gay ministers

Published on Monday 27 June 2011 17:57

ALLOWING openly gay ministers to preach in the Church of Scotland could drive "many other" congregations to secede from the Kirk, a minister warned last night.

The Rev Dominic Smart, of Gilcomston South Church, Aberdeen, was speaking ahead of a meeting at which his congregation was to discuss taking the first steps to split from the Kirk over the issue.

Mr Smart said: "We don't want people to feel bounced into making a quick decision. It (the meeting] will gauge the strength in the congregation, though most of us have a pretty strong idea of that anyway. But it won't be anything like a formal vote."

Last month, the General Assembly voted to allow openly gay ministers ordained before 2009 to remain in their posts and to establish a theological commission, due to report in 2013, to consider the implications of allowing gays to train as ministers. Traditionalists say the move could cause a major schism within the Church.

Last night's meeting in Aberdeen came ahead of a vote tonight at the High Church in Stornoway to agree in prinicipal to withdraw from from the Kirk.

A Church of Scotland spokesman said:"We have already recognised that the decision taken by the General Assembly last month will have caused hurt to some people within the Church.

"It would be disappointing if any congregation felt the need to leave the Church when no final decisions have been taken, and the Church has agreed to hold more dialogue on this issue leading to a further report which will not be heard until 2013."