Gay row minister to be inducted in Scotland

The gay minister whose appointment sparked a furious debate in the Church of Scotland is set to be formally inducted in Aberdeen.

The Reverend Scott Rennie will be introduced to his congregation at a service at Queen’s Cross Church.

Hundreds of ministers and thousands of Church of Scotland members signed an online petition opposing the move.

After arriving in Aberdeen, Mr Rennie said he was looking forward to serving God in the city.

The issue had gone to the General Assembly which narrowly voted in favour.

But there has been a two-year ban on the ordination of gay ministers and a special commission is considering the issue.

See

Gay row minister to be inducted

BBC News

Published by

Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/gay-row-minis…

Gay row goes before Kirk’s ‘court’ as split threat talked down

A COMPLAINT against openly gay Kirk minister Scott Rennie will be heard before the Church of Scotland’s own equivalent of a civil court next week.
However, the moderator designate refused to be drawn into the controversy surrounding the appointment of Mr Rennie, 36, as he faced questions over the possibility of a split in the Kirk if it goes ahead.

During what was his first public appearance in the role, the Rev Bill Hewitt, 58, insisted his job would be to oversee a forthcoming Church debate on the issue and he would not be drawn into answering questions about the row.

However, reacting to the suggestions that supporters of controversial preacher Fred Phelps – who has protested against homosexuality in the United States – are planning to demonstrate outside the General Assembly when the issue is being discussed, he said: “People are free to demonstrate if they want. It won’t affect what happens inside.” SeeGay row goes before Kirk’s ‘court’ as split threat talked down Scotsman

* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual

Published by

Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/gay-row-goes-…

Anti-gay minister the Rev Ian Watson in ‘Nazi battle’ outrage Times Online

The Church of Scotland is moving towards a schism after one of its ministers compared an increasingly determined campaign against gay clergymen to the war against the Nazis.

The Rev Ian Watson railed against homosexual lifestyles, declaring that such people would not “inherit the kingdom of God” in a sermon that religious leaders and politicians condemned as deeply disturbing.

Mr Watson is a prominent opponent of Scott Rennie, an openly gay minister whose appointment to a parish church last year has caused divisions. Mr Rennie, a divorced father of one, lives with his partner, David, and has the support of his Aberdeen Presbytery. The Church of Scotland is due to debate his appointment at its General Assembly next week after a petition was signed by almost a third of ministers pushing for all gays to be banned from the pulpit.

A motion has been lodged urging the Church not to “train, ordain, admit, readmit, induct or introduce to any ministry of the church anyone involved in a sexual relationship outside of marriage between a man and woman”.

See Anti-gay minister the Rev Ian Watson in ‘Nazi battle’ outrage Times Online * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual

Published by

Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/anti-gay-mini…

‘Third of Kirk ministers sign anti-gay petiton’

Almost a third of Church of Scotland ministers have signed a petition attacking the appointment of a gay minister to a church in Aberdeen, organisers claimed yesterday.

The online campaign, led by the Fellowship of Confessing Churches, a new organisation, has attracted almost 6,000 supporters – more than 300 of whom are ministers.

The Rev Ian Watson, who was involved in setting up the body, said that Kirk members were galvanised after Scott Rennie was appointed to Queen’s Cross Parish Church and announced his intention to move his boyfriend into the Manse See ‘Third of Kirk ministers sign anti-gay petiton’

Times Online