News Articles
12th January 2009
Gay appointment at Aberdeen church may face opposition
(Source: Pinknews.co.uk)
An openly gay minister has been appointed to a Church of Scotland congregation amid reports that
an appeal to block the move is imminent.
Rev Scott Rennie was installed at Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen after the city's presbytery voted
60-24 in his favour.
After 10 years of service, Rev Rennie will be leaving his current role as minister at Brechin Cathedral
in Angus.
He separated from his wife and then moved another man into the manse, where they both currently
reside.
Sources within the kirk (or 'church') have told Scottish newspaper The Press and Journal:
"It is highly likely that critics will lodge an appeal to block the move within the next 10 days."
Despite this opposition, Queen's Cross Church is renowned for its liberal-minded attitude, and its current
Reverend has been involved in a number of LGBT issues over the years.
The former minister, Rev Bob Brown, was a guest at the 2006 civil partnership of Monica Stewart and
Paula McDonald, and in the same year he opposed Forward Together, an evangelical organisation that
wants to ban gay ministers and deacons from leading ceremonies.
The joint session clerk at Queen's Cross, Professor Trevor Salmon commented on Rev Rennie's 'excellent
qualities' and said:
"This appointment was given a resounding endorsement by the kirk session and congregation."
The Church of Scotland General Assembly is currently divided over civil partnerships and will make its final
decision in May.
