Scottish Church OKs Gay Minister - An Historic First

THE Church of Scotland last night voted to accept their first openly gay minister.

In a historic decision, the General Assembly voted 326 to 267 to approve the appointment of Scott Rennie to a church in Aberdeen.

His selection had sparked fears of a civil war in the Kirk as a protest petition collected 12,000 names - including 400 ministers.

The vote at 10pm came after a day of clashes between supporters and opponents of Rev Rennie outside the Assembly. Police made two arrests.

Last night, critics insisted the vote had not decided the wider issue of whether gay ministers should have a role in the church.

Ministers expect to vote on that tomorrow after the debate resumes.

Last night, Rev Rennie said: "Quite simply I am a gay minister. I always have been and will remain so.

"There is enough room for us all.

I'm looking forward to serving the people of my parish.

"My prayer is that we can all now move forward together"

Us anti-gay extremists had flown in to support opponents of gay ministers, among them the widow of Pastor Jack Glass. Peggy Glass stood with other placard-bearing members of Glasgow's Zion Baptist Church.

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