Kirk gay clergy: Stornoway High Church breaks away

The concept of gay clergy was met with opposition. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Over 200 members of the High Church in Stornoway, in the Western Isles, backed the split.

The congregation has been unhappy at the way the Church of Scotland has handled the issue of the ordination of gay ministers.

They follow a small number of congregations on the Scottish mainland who have decided to leave the Church of Scotland.

Kinloch and Tarbert congregations, also in the Western Isles, are currently considering their position.

Christopher Martin, Elder in Stornoway’s High Church of Scotland said that all those who attended a meeting on Tuesday night agreed they wished to leave because the way the the Kirk was handling the issue of whether people in same sex relationships becoming ministers.

He said “We see it as a biblical issue. The word of God is being disregarded to a great extent.

“We put before the people tonight (the question) would they be for leaving the Chuch of Scotland as a fellowship and we got 100% of the 200 people at the meeting wishing to go. We cannot identify with unity unless it is founded on the word of God. “

He said the process of leaving the Kirk would begin in the coming months.

‘No crisis’

The Church of Scotland has insisted it is “not in crisis” despite two further congregations indicating they may leave – and one minister quitting – over the controversial issue of allowing gay clergy.

The presbyteries of Lewis CoS, in the Western Isles, and Logie and St John’s in Dundee were the latest to add their voices of discontent over the vote last month by the Kirk’s General Assembley.

And the Rev Andrew Downie of Benbecula Church of Scotland has resigned as a minister over the row.

A number of elders in his parish, which also covers the north end of South Uist, are also expected to vote on leaving for the same reason.

The Church of Scotland has reacted by saying that they are only aware of fewer than 10 congregations out of 1400 voicing an opinion to vote on leaving.

A spokesman said: “Following the decision a number of individuals have indicated they might wish to leave the Church of Scotland.

“While we would be saddened by the departure of any of our ministers and members, the Church is not in crisis.

“The present situation is nothing like the historical event in 1843, known as the Disruption, when a third of ministers – nearly 500 - left. Presbyteries are now holding conversations with fewer than ten of our 1400 congregations.”

He added: “As we saw with the congregation of Gilcomston South in Aberdeen, these conversations can be gracious, constructive and respectful of Church law, civil law and charity law.

“The vast majority of Church of Scotland ministers and members are committed to the Church and willing to work out, over the next couple of years, how we live with difference.

“They see the recent decision of the General Assembly as a vote for the peace and unity of the Church.

“However, it is not surprising that a small number of ministers and members reacted immediately to decisions taken at the General Assembly.

“There has always been a variety of views on the matter of same-sex relationships and the ministry and we are aware that some of our ministers and members feel that a compromise is not possible.

“The work of the Church of Scotland – preaching the Good News and caring for the vulnerable the length and breadth of the country - continues unabated.”

Resignation

The spokesman added that the vote at the General Assembly went ahead without any opposition.

He also said they had received the resignation from Rev Downie and he would be leaving in August.

At its General Assembly in May, the Church of Scotland voted to uphold its historic doctrine on same sex relationships but to also consider a policy of permitting individual congregations to choose ministers in same sex relationships.

Sources have warned the Church of Scotland “could be facing extinction in the Western Isles”.

The ordaining of ministers in same-sex relationships has divided the Kirk since traditionalist members attempted to block the appointment of Scott Rennie, who is gay, in 2009.

• Church of Scotland ‘not in crisis’ over gay clergy