CHURCH of Scotland ministers will soon be able to conduct same-sex marriages after the General Assembly backed a change in policy by 274 votes to 136.

The Kirk's first gay wedding could be in a matter of weeks.

Under the terms of the legislation, an individual minister needs to apply to the Principal Clerk’s office to become a celebrant and an application would then be made to the Registrar General for Scotland on their behalf.

One of the first to do so was, Reverend James Bissett, a minister in the Inverness area. He tweeted: “I have just emailed the @churchscotland Principal Clerk’s office to ask that I be registered as a celebrant of same-sex marriages.”

The reform comes after a long and at times angry debate, with the changes first proposed in 2018.

Reverend Phil Gunn, minister of Rosskeen Parish Church in Alness, in Ross and Cromarty, was one of those unhappy with the changes. 

He told the assembly that the Kirk was "stating loud and clear that the Bible, God's word, is no longer our authority, that it's okay for us to pick and choose what we like and ignore the rest, that it is okay for us to rewrite Scripture so that it looks good in the eyes of a society that already thinks we are hypocrites".

The new Kirk legislation states that no minister will be compelled to perform a same-sex wedding or be involved in the arrangements against their will.

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.

And only a parish minister who has become a celebrant will be permitted the use of a church building in their charge for the solemnisation of same-sex marriages. Though they will be able to grant consent to other celebrants to use the building for this purpose.

Reverend Ben Thorp, from Sandyford Henderson Memorial Church in Glasgow's West End, was concerned that a minister could find themselves in legal difficulties if they refused to officiate or refused to let their church building be used for a gay ceremony. 

He said: “While we have guarantees that there will not be civil action and that this will be lawful, the court of public opinion is still very strong on this and there is definitely the possibility that churches who choose not to – if this motion is passed – could still be targeted.

“If we choose in favour of this motion then it will cease to become an institutional position and becomes a personal decision and individual ministers will be making a personal decision and when asked, can you marry us, the answer will have to be no, because I choose not to, rather than no, that’s something that I cannot do, and that creates pastoral difficulties as well for everyone on both sides of the debate so, I think, we need to be very aware of these tensions that are here.”

Speaking before the vote, Reverend Scott Rennie, who is in a same-sex marriage, urged the assembly to back the change.

He said: "I want to say that marriage is a wonderful thing. My marriage to my husband Dave nurtures my life and my ministry.

"I couldn't be a minister without his love and support. It is much the same as opposite-sex marriage in its joys and its glories."

Last year, the assembly voted to approve draft legislation to “allow ministers of Word and Sacrament and deacons to marry same-sex couples if they wish.” 

However, the church’s Barrier Act means that any significant change in Kirk law requires the approval of a majority of the 42 presbyteries 

A report prepared for the General Assembly revealed that 29 were in favour while 12 were against. A new liturgy will be drawn up for those ministers who are happy to apply to become celebrants of same-sex marriage.

Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson welcomed the vote: “Delighted to see that the general assembly of the Church of Scotland has voted for ministers to be able to conduct same-sex weddings. Thanks to those who have shown grace and care as the church edged closer and closer to this point.”

Green MSP Ross Greer tweeted: "Love wins!"

He added: "The @churchscotland General Assembly has just voted 2:1 in favour of allowing our ministers to conduct same-sex marriages! A wonderful moment a long time coming."

Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale described it as “tremendous news and progress”.