More parishes could 'quit' over gay Church of Scotland clergy

Two more churches could break away from the Kirk because of the institution's decision to lift its ban on appointing gay ministers.

St Kane’s at New Deer, in Aberdeenshire, is considering its relationship with the Church of Scotland as it "grieves" for what it sees as a departure from the teachings of the Bible.

Stornoway High Church has also announced plans to hold a secret ballot on whether to quit the congregation after the General Assembly made the choice to let homosexuals become church leaders.

The General Assembly has been considering the issue of ministers being in same-sex partnerships Scott Rennie, who is gay, was appointed to Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen in 2009.

Its congregation protested at the appointment of the openly gay divorcee and joined the Fellowship of Confessing Churches which opposes the "forced introduction of heterodox teaching and practice" into the church.

The parish also gave notice that it would "take steps to disengage" with the Church of Scotland unless the denomination returned to Biblical teachings.

Reverend Dominic Smart said elders at Gilcomston South Church in Aberdeen disagreed with the General Assembly's resolution, feeling it had "marginalised" the Bible.

He insisted the assembly’s decision on same-sex partnerships represented a "clear and deliberate move away from the authority of scripture".

Rev Smart will meet his congregation on June 27 to discuss the proposal and then in late August or early September the congregation will vote on whether to leave the Church of Scotland.

The General Assembly will debate the subject again in 2013 once a report on related theological issues is completed.

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