Church of Scotland faces 'The Issue'

GadgetVicar ^ | 4/05/2006

[sionnsar]

I pray that the Church of Scotland can avoid the mess that the Anglican Communion currently finds itself in over sexuality. It seems clear that if the following deliverance is passed at the General Assembly next month, a great many ministers and churches will be at variance with the denomination and strong action will follow. Expect more news on this in the coming weeks.

DECLARATORY ACT ANENT CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS
Edinburgh,
xx May 2006 Sess yy

Whereas the Civil Partnership Act 2004 does not confer on ministers or deacons the power to create civil partnerships;

Whereas a service marking a partnership under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 is to be distinguished from the joining together of a man and a woman in marriage;

Whereas ministers and deacons are uncertain whether they may expect to be charged with a disciplinary offence in the event of conducting a service for those who have contracted a partnership in terms of the Civil Partnership Act;

Whereas ministers and deacons who are unwilling to conduct such services are entitled to have their opinions protected;

And whereas the diversity of view on the matter means that the availability of such services varies from parish to parish;

The General Assembly declare as follows:

1. A minister or deacon who conducts any service marking a civil partnership does not commit a disciplinary offence in terms of Act III 2001 (as amended).

2. No minister or deacon shall be compelled or obliged to conduct such a service against his or her conscience.

3. Where a minister or deacon officiating at such service has been approached by the parties in the first instance, or where a minister or deacon so approached officiates in circumstances where the parish minister has declined to officiate, such minister or deacon shall not be deemed to have intruded upon the sphere of ministry of a parish minister in terms of section 18 of Act II 2000.

[AnalogReigns]

Whereas yet another grand old Church with a glorious history has firmly decided to not decide on an issue of whether sexual perversion is acceptable in her leadership and laity.

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" I Peter 4:17