Two ministers quit Church of Scotland in protest over gay clergy

Church schism: Ministers join Free Church over gay clergy row.

Two former ministers of the Church of Scotland have been ordained into the Free Church after quitting in a row over gay clergy.

Rev Ivor MacDonald and the Rev Andrew Coghill, both from the traditionalist wing of the Kirk, resigned their posts in 2011 but announced their switch during the General Assembly gathering on Thursday.

Mr MacDonald had been minister at Kilmuir and Stenscholl on Skye while Mr Coghill led a congregation at Lochs Crossbost on Lewis.

In a statement, the Free Church said the clergymen had departed the Church of Scotland after it decided to induct ministers who were practising homosexuals and had been ordained prior to 2009.

The Free Church said that was “a move which they and others believe shows that the Church of Scotland has walked away from the Bible”.

Speaking after the announcement, Mr MacDonald said: “Since leaving the Church of Scotland I have found a very warm welcome in the Free Church and am finding both space and support to carry out evangelical ministry. The Free Church today is very different from the stereotype that is so often peddled. It has had its own difficulties but my experience of it is of a Church that is seeking to be faithful and relevant in that order.

“It has had the courage to make some difficult changes, has emerged the stronger for it and is well positioned to be the clear Christian voice that Scotland so badly needs to hear.”

A Free Church of Scotland spokesman added: “Both of these experienced ministers have shown they are ready and willing to stand up for the truth of the Bible in spite of widespread opposition in an increasingly secular Scotland. We are delighted to welcome them to the Free Church of Scotland ministry and firmly believe they will be assets to the cause of Christ over the years to come.”

The issue of homosexuality has divided the Church of Scotland between those who advocate traditional scriptural teachings and those who take a more liberal interpretation of Christian theology.

The Church of Scotland insisted no decision had been taken in its debate over the ordination of people in civil partnerships and said it regretted the decision of the two ministers to leave.

A spokesman said: “Mr Coghill and Mr MacDonald both demitted office with the Church of Scotland last year. We wish them well in their new careers. Their former Church of Scotland congregations remain as part of the Church of Scotland.

"That they have joined the Free Church is not unusual. From time to time ministers move between denominations, and Church of Scotland ministers have moved to the Free Church in the past and vice versa.

“As is well known, the Church of Scotland has set up a Theological Commission to examine whether persons in a civil partnership are eligible for admission, ordination and induction as ministers of Word and Sacrament, or deacons, among other issues. A report will be presented to the 2013 General Assembly.

“It is disappointing that any ministers or members have felt the need to leave the Church before the Commission reports. We stress that no final decisions have been taken, and the Church is currently holding more dialogue on this issue.”

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