Kirk set for civil partnership minister vote

THE controversial issue of whether congregations will be allowed to appoint ministers and deacons in civil partnerships is to be debated and voted on this Saturday at the start of the Kirk’s annual General Assembly.
The Kirk is set to discuss and vote on whether congregations will be allowed to appoint ministers and deacons in civil partnerships. Picture: Phil WilkinsonThe Kirk is set to discuss and vote on whether congregations will be allowed to appoint ministers and deacons in civil partnerships. Picture: Phil Wilkinson
The Kirk is set to discuss and vote on whether congregations will be allowed to appoint ministers and deacons in civil partnerships. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

Last year’s debate focused round the proposal to allow Kirk Sessions to call ministers and deacons in civil partnerships to apply for vacant charges.

Under Kirk rules, the matter was put out to presbyteries to vote on the issue.

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Results released earlier this year revealed the majority backed the proposal with 32 voting in favour and 13 against.

Proposals to allow congregations to appoint ministers in a same-sex marriage will be discussed on 21 May.

Tim Hopkins, director of Equality Network, said: “The Church’s presbyteries voted last year in favour of allowing kirk sessions to appoint a minister in a civil partnership.

“This is a decision for the Church to make through its democratic procedures, but we think that many of its members would approve of a vote on Saturday which recognises and respects the diversity within the Church.”