Church of England ‘could accept clergy in same-sex marriages’ following historic vote in Scotland

May 21, 2016 by Jill

by Lydia Willgress, Telegraph:

The Church of England could accept clergy and church officials who are in same-sex marriages, it was suggested today after a historic vote in Scotland opened the door for change.

Officials south of the border are facing “increasing pressure” after the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland voted to extend the law that permits ministers to be in same-sex civil partnerships.

The Kirk will continue to adopt a position that maintains a traditional view of marriage but, following years of discussions, congregations will now be able to “opt out” if they want to appoint a married minister or deacon who is gay.

Rev Christina Beardsley, who is a member of The Sibyls, a Christian spirituality group for transgender people, claimed that churches in England would benefit by using the same model.

She told The Sunday Telegraph: “It is helpful that within the UK there is this model now available. People who are hesitant will be able to see how it works out and they will see that the sky isn’t going to fall in. The pressure will be on.”

Jeremy Timm, a former Reader who lost his permission to officiate when he married his same-sex partner in 2015, said the decision would “bring an energy” to the Church of England, which he hoped would soon resolve the “hugely divisive issue”.

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