School chaplain dismissed for gay marriage views

A CHAPLAIN at a Glasgow school has been removed from his post after he described homosexuality as a “perversion” and a “disorder”.

Reverend Donald Michael MacInnes. Picture: HeMedia

The Rev Donald Michael MacInnes made the comments on a Facebook page that was read by parents of pupils who attend the Glasgow Gaelic School.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council yesterday confirmed that Mr MacInnes, a Church of Scotland minister, had been removed from his pastoral position at the school.

“The man is no longer the chaplain at the school and this decision was taken by the headteacher as soon as we received the complaints from parents and reviewed the situation,” she said.

Glasgow Gaelic School

In the Facebook post, Mr MacInnes attacked the Scottish Government for proposals to introduce same-sex marriage.

He wrote: “The overwhelming support of our Scottish politicians in creating same-sex marriage is very disappointing.

“Many of us, myself included, agreed that the creation of civil partnerships was necessary so that individuals suffering from this disorder were not legally penalised in any way because of their sexuality.

“We can now expect to see the school curriculum changed to the end that our children will be taught this perversion as if it were a good thing.”

Angry parents of pupils at the non-denominational school contacted headteacher Dr Donalda McComb over the inflammatory remarks.

The school, in Berkeley Street, near Charing Cross, provides Gaelic language education for pre-school, primary and secondary pupils.

One parent, responding to Mr MacInnes’ comments, said: “I don’t want my children exposed to any sort of prejudice from a person in authority and I would not be confident of other views he might express directly to the children.”

Another said: “Absolutely disgraceful. It is not a disorder – you cannot choose your sexuality.”

A council spokeswoman said while the minister was entitled to his opinions, action had been taken because his views “were not in keeping with the ethos of the school” and the council had a duty of care to the pupils.

She said: “The school did receive complaints from some parents about the inappropriate comments made and a decision was taken to review the religious observance at the school.”

Mr MacInnes, who is minister of Gairbraid Church in Maryhill, Glasgow, is originally from Lewis.

He is also a former minister at St Columba’s Church in St Vincent Street, Glasgow.

Yesterday he declined to comment on the matter.