Disciplinary threat to Kirk minister after he defies ban on gay debate

The Rev David Randall, of Loudoun Church, Newmilns, Irvine, condemned the Assembly's decision, saying it had shown "fundamentally unjust, illogical and lamentable inconsistency" in upholding Aberdeen Presbytery's move to appoint Mr Rennie to Queen's Cross Church.

However, his letter may flout an instruction issued by the Kirk on Monday that members of its courts, councils and committees "not issue press statements, talk to the media or make decisions in relation to contentious matters of human sexuality" for a two-year period.

In that time, a commission will examine the issue of the ordination of openly homosexual ministers.

In his letter, Mr Randall writes: "This year's General Assembly, in taking the Kirk away from clear Biblical teaching, orthodox Christianity and the worldwide church, has made a huge mistake with far-reaching consequences. A ball has been started rolling now that, I fear, cannot be stopped."

He also claims ministers were on the verge of leaving and had ripped up certificates of membership, while many were considering refusing to make financial contributions.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Randall said he did not feel he was subject to the Assembly's instruction as he was speaking an individual minister, and therefore was only required to observe the part of Monday's motion which "urged" members who are subjects to the "discipline of the Courts of the Church" to act in accordance with the moratorium.

However, all serving ministers are technically members of a local presbytery court.

Mr Randall said: "The whole thing has been fudged. There's been desperation to avoid a big schismatic moment. I don't think things will cool down during the next two years."

Kirk lawyers said yesterday that a decision on whether Mr Randall had breached the Church's instructions was the responsibility of Irvine and Kilmarnock Presbytery.

Last night, the clerk of the presbytery, the Rev Colin Brockie, said he would be examining the letter before forming any opinion. Both traditionalists and liberals in the Kirk have voiced concern about what has been characterised as a "gagging clause" and the difficulty in enforcing it.

The issue of Mr Rennie's appointment was also raised obliquely in the Assembly's proceedings yesterday, when concern was voiced about an editorial article on the case of homosexual ministers which appeared in the church's in-house magazine, Life and Work, and took a liberal stance.

The article was branded a "serious mistake" by the evangelical Forward Together group, which has campaigned against the magazine, claiming that it was "prejudiced and unbalanced" in attempting to prejudge the outcome of a case before it had come before the Assembly.

The Assembly agreed to carry out an investigation into the "place of an editorially independent Life and Work in relation to the mission work of the Church" and to ensure there was enough support for the editor of the magazine. Speaking following the debate, the magazine's acting editor, Muriel Armstrong, said that she had been referencing past Assembly discussions on human sexuality in forming her editorial

She added: "I only recalled what had happened at the earlier commission and suggested that perhaps the different factions could agree to differ to remain a broad and inclusive church which was still true to the Gospel."

'We must welcome sex offenders into Church'

THE Kirk has a duty to help reduce reoffending among convicted sex offenders by finding them a role in congregations, the chief inspector of Scottish prisons told the General Assembly yesterday.

Former Moderator, the Very Rev Andrew McLellan, said that the Kirk's engagement with sex offenders had to go further than just the protection of children.

"I want the General Assembly to see any engagement with sex offenders not merely as a protection of the children of congregations but also as a contribution to public safety," he told Kirk leaders.

His comments came during the debate on the Kirk's new approach on how it integrates and monitors convicted sex offenders who wish to join congregations.

"Sex offenders get the worst preparation for release of any offenders in Scotland's prisons, despite the fact that they are those who the public would want to have the best preparation," he said.

The General Assembly approved a motion instructing congregations to identify the presence of a sex offender and ensure they agree to be supported and monitored.