Church of Scotland General Assembly votes to allow gay ministers

The Church of Scotland's ruling General Assembly has voted to allow actively gay men and women to become ministers.

Assembly commissioners in Edinburgh voted in favour of a proposal that allows liberal parishes to opt out of the church's policy on homosexuality.

Legislation will be drafted for next year, then go to regional presbyteries and return for final approval in 2015.

Divisions were caused when the first openly homosexual minister was appointed by the Kirk four years ago.

Two congregations and six ministers broke away. Read more

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