Church of Scotland votes in favour of allowing ministers to perform same-sex marriages
Commissioners have voted overwhelmingly in favour of permitting Kirk ministers to conduct same-sex marriages
Last updated 23rd May 2022
The Church of Scotland has voted overwhelmingly in favour of allowing Kirk ministers to perform same-sex marriages.
It's been decided at the General Assembly in Edinburgh - and follows years of debate within the Kirk. 274 commissioners voted in favour of the move and 136 against it on Monday.
It's the largest church in the UK so far to say yes to gay marriages.
They have approved an overture to change a standing Church law to enable parish ministers, known as Ministers of Word and Sacrament, and deacons to apply to become authorised celebrants to conduct same-sex ceremonies.
A report to the General Assembly makes it clear that no person would be required to participate in the solemnisation of, or be involved in the arrangements for, a same-sex marriage unless they explicitly wished to do so.
All celebrants would be expected to take account of the "peace and unity and pastoral needs of the congregation and any parish or other grouping of which it is a part" while considering conducting a same-sex marriage ceremony.