An openly gay Church of Scotland minister has spoken of his struggle with his sexuality as calls increased for his latest appointment to be blocked.

The Reverend Scott Rennie said he understood the views of his opponents, but insisted they were "mistaken".

More than 5,600 people, including 282 Church of Scotland ministers, have signed an online petition opposing his appointment to Aberdeen's Queen's Cross Church.

The petition, organised by a group called Fellowship of Confessing Churches, calls on the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to oppose the appointment when it meets in Edinburgh later this month.

On its website, the Fellowship of Confessing Churches said: "We urge the Assembly to support the position of those who stood to defend Christian orthodoxy in Aberdeen Presbytery, and ensure instead that the Church will apply and assert in practice its clear doctrinal position on all matters of marriage and human sexuality, by refusing to condone homosexual practice in general, and among its leaders in particular."

Rev Rennie, 37, who was married and has a daughter, is now in a relationship with another man.

He was appointed minister of Brechin Cathedral ten years ago. He was born and raised in Bucksburn, Aberdeen and studied at Aberdeen University, going onto study divinity at Christ's College in the city. He served as the assistant minister at Queen's Cross Church before undertaking further studies in New York, and was appointed minister at Brechin Cathedral.

He was appointed as the minister for Queen's Cross Church after being elected by the congregation in November 2008, and the decision was approved by the Presbytery of Aberdeen in January.

However, an appeal against this decision was launched, and following a vote the matter will now be referred to the General Assembly who will have the final say on the appointment.

Speaking in One Kirk Journal, he said: "It wasn't until after the demise of my marriage, and the pain and grieving that entails, that I finally decided I had to face up to my own issues around sexuality."

He also admitted he was surprised at the reaction to his new appointment.

"Having lived happily with my partner in Brechin, getting on with parish life and all that entails, I did not imagine, given how peaceable and happy my time in Brechin has been, that such a furore would be caused following my desire to respond to God's call by moving church."

He said that he understood the perspective the objectors held, but added: "Now I think that is mistaken, however faithfully held."

It was time for the church to take an "honest look at itself", he said, over the issue of sexuality, saying: "I think it's time for the church as a whole to take an honest look at itself, and its perspectives on sexuality, in much the same way that it has had the courage over the years to do so on issues of gender, power, and, most recently, sectarianism."