|
Kirk 'may stop performing marriages' after gay laws
[TELEGRAPH.CO.UK] The Rev Alan Hamilton told MSPs there were deep concerns in the church that a Bill legalising gay marriage in Scotland will be viewed as an "invitation" to take celebrants who oppose the move to court.He said this year's General Assembly had instructed the Kirk's legal questions committee, which he convenes, to assess "whether it's worth the Church of Scotland continuing to offer marriages". The suggestion that legalising gay marriage would prevent heterosexual couples having a church ceremony was the most startling warning yet in the battle between religious leaders and the Scottish Government over the controversial plan. The Church of Scotland later issued a statement saying it had no current plans to stop offering marriages but was examining whether it should continue to preside over services "in the way that it does now". According to the official instructions issued by the General Assembly, Mr Hamilton's committee is examining "the possibility of ministers and deacons ceasing to act as civil registrars" for marriages. Posted by: Fred 2013-09-16 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=375914 |