Ban on gay man being trained for the ministry is upheld

THE Church of Scotland has backed a decision to prevent an openly gay Church member being trained for the ministry.

The General Assembly ratified a decision by a powerful Kirk court, which upheld a complaint against a presbytery that tried to nominate an openly gay man for training.

Dmitri Ross, who is in a civil partnership, was nominated by Hamilton Presbytery last year, despite a ban on the ordination or induction of gay ministers.

A moratorium was imposed after the divisive appointment of Scott Rennie, who lives openly with his male partner, to Queen's Cross, in Aberdeen. The two-year ban is in place until 2011 to allow a special commission to examine the issue. A separate ban on discussing the issue is in place.

The storm of objections that followed when news of his candidacy emerged in September last year saw Mr Ross retract his candidacy, stating that he did not wish to become a "source of division" in the Kirk. He also called on his opponents to withdraw their protests against him "in the interests of peace and unity in the Church".

However, a Dissent and Complaint was brought before the Kirk's Commission of the General Assembly in November by the Rev Iain Murdoch and Mr Alexander Napier.

Following evidence given by both the complainers and representatives of Hamilton Presbytery, a vote was taken and the complaint was upheld. The decision was passed yesterday without comment.

The divisive issue of openly gay ministers remains a live topic within presbyteries.

An internal consultation process on congregational feeling, drawn up by the Kirk's Special Commission which included a secret ballot, is ongoing. But frustration among some members at the lack of debate has led to rumours that members will attempt to raise the issue in some form, breaking the moratorium.