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Church of Scotland allows ministers to have same-sex marriages

By Fabio Crispim

STV reports

that yesterday (May 21) the Church of Scotland approved a law allowing ministers to marry their same-sex partners.

It extends on a law that was introduced last year allowing ministers to be in same-sex civil partnerships.

The Church voted in favour of the law by 339 and 215 were against it.

During the assembly a letter from the Queen was read, she said:

“At a time of such upheaval and unrest across the world, it is reassuring to hear that the Church of Scotland has made a particular priority of working to develop a co-ordinated response to the issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers.”

“This international crisis requires a compassionate and generous response and we are pleased that in keeping with your priority to serve the poorest and most vulnerable, you are making such a valuable contribution.”

The Church however, still considers marriage as being between a man and a woman but allows congregations to “opt out” if they want to appoint a minister or deacon in a same-sex marriage or civil partnership.

The Church’s numbers have fallen however as a survey from April revealed that 52% of all people in Scotland now consider themselves atheists.

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