The Church of Scotland could see as many as 150 ministers resign
in protest over its decision to allow openly gay clergy.
The Guardian reports that the Church of Scotland has braced
itself for mass resignations following moves to allow the
ordination of gay ministers.
The Church of Scotland became the first major Presbyterian
church in the world to allow openly gay and lesbian ministers to
take up parishes, at it's general assembly in May. It also opened
the way for the full ordination of gay ministers within two
years.
Up to six ministers have already left since the assembly in May,
with Rev Dominic Smart and his congregation in Gilcomston South,
Aberdeen, threatening to leave as a group in mass protest.
However, while the Church of Scotland has effectively authorised
gay clergy, the assembly has voted to postpone a formal decision on
allowing gay people to train as ministers until a theological
commission reported in 2013.
It also prevented serving gay ministers who declared their
sexuality after May 2009 from taking up new posts until 2013 at the
earliest.
