A leader of the Church of Scotland, who convenes the church’s Theological Forum, told the General Assembly there is no theological reason to oppose same-sex marriages in the Church, as he presented a report that proposes the governing body approve a detailed study of how such ceremonies could be allowed. “We see this as permissive rather than directive,” the Very Rev. Iain Torrance told the assembly, according to BBC. “We say that after reflection we can see no sufficient
theological reason for the Church now not to authorize specific ministers to officiate at same-sex weddings if doing so does not prejudice the position of those who decline to do so for reasons of conscience.” Torrance added, “I hope, I pray, we are moving to a different stage in this long argument. We can begin perhaps by saying gently to those with whom we have disagreed, I am sorry. That notion of an apology is directly linked to taking this into a non-binary stage and trying to think these pieces differently with a different perception.” FULL REPORT
