Church of Scotland faces a tough week.

[afleitch]

The Church of Scotland is, for all it's faults and plusses a democratic organisation. Clergymen, covenors, members of the General Assembly etc are all selected by their respective congregations.

One congregation, Queens Cross Church in Aberdeen selected Rev Scott Rennie to serve as minister. There were a few objections, but no more than would be expected amongst any confirmation of a new minister filling a vacancy left be a long-serving predecesor.

However the Rev Rennie is gay. Moreover, he was married and had a child but struggled with his sexuality. His wife left him but they remain close. There has however been an attempt to block his ordination and this has gathered some speed.

The difficulty facing the Kirk is whether to override the local autonomy of the congregation at it's General Assembly on May 23rd. There is amotion to the Assembly from the Presbytery of Skye-Lochcarron: "This Church shall not accept for training, ordain, admit, re-admit, induct or introduce to any ministry of the Church anyone involved in a sexual relationship outside of faithful marriage between a man and a woman".

There are two now vocal camps.

Backing Rennie.

His ex-wife.
Rev Dr Marjory MacLean - Acting Principal Clerk
Rev Margaret Forrester - Former minister who led drive to ordain women “Whether people are gay or heterosexual is really not important. The issue is: has God called this person to be a minister.”

Politicians (who probably should keep their nose out of things)

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald; “I think it is wholly inappropriate that people who have no connection with the congregation or Aberdeen are trying to dictate to the members of that presbytery who they should choose and on what basis.“Scott Rennie has become the victim of people who are trying to make a test case, which is a deplorable approach that is neither fair to him nor the congregation.”

North-east Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes.

Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone: “The decision taken by Queen’s Cross Church and Aberdeen Presbytery should have been allowed to stand. “I know Scott personally. He has distinguished himself as the minister at Brechin Cathedral and he is a very decent human being who has a great deal to offer.”

Sacking Rennie

Rev Ian Watson: "But have we learned nothing from history? Remember Hitler and the retaking of the Rhineland. He got away with it. No one stopped him. So next it was Austria, then Czechoslovakia, and then Poland and only then world war.”

Rev Kenneth MacKenzie, Minister of Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral (attended by the Queen) "Life in the Church will never be the same again and my fear is that a sizeable minority of the clergy, and perhaps a majority of its people, may consider leaving the church, causing a rift felt in every parish."

[k-onmmunist]

OH NO, SOMEONE MADE A WW2 ANALOGY

[afleitch]

OH NO, SOMEONE MADE A WW2 ANALOGY

Yes Winston. Well spotted

[ilikeverin]

Rennie was kept.

[afleitch]

Rennie was kept.

Yes.

Quite suprising actually. But as was said 'If someone is called to minister, they are called'