A PARISH in Kinross-shire has banned gay candidates from becoming the next minister in a decision which has been heavily criticised but backed by the Church of Scotland.
Kinross-shire Parish Church is reportedly set to advertise for a new minister, but kirk elders have voted to bar gay candidates from applying for the job.
Despite gay ministers serving elsewhere in the country, the Church of Scotland has backed the decision, leading to dismay from members of the congregation and a local LGBT+ group, according to The Courier.
One member from the church raised their concerns in the Perthshire Advertiser, saying the decision, which elders voted 20 to 19 in favour of barring gay candidates, has caused a “great deal of unrest”.
They said: “This has caused a great deal of personal hurt for many.
“There is a great deal of unrest within the congregation as it is felt that the views expressed by a subset of elders is not representative of the views of the wider congregation.”
Meanwhile, chairperson of the local LGBT+ group Perthshire Pride Jack Simpson, said the decision was “disheartening” and “two steps” backwards after making a positive progression to becoming more inclusive.
“It’s not great to hear,” Simpson told The Courier.
“They aren’t allowed to discriminate against people with learning difficulties or for the colour of their skin, so it is weird they are trying to do it here.
“Last week we had the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman and now this.
“It feels as though there will be more and more stuff like this happening now.”
He added: “The concern is that it always starts with one group.
“And if they’re banning gay people from applying, who will they ban next?
“It is disheartening because we have taken a step forward but now we’ve gone two steps back again.”
“We are doing all this hard work to boost the community and make it a safer place but you feel you are getting pushed back straight away.”
A spokesperson for the Church of Scotland confirmed the organisation has gay ministers across the country.
However, in relation to Kinross-shire Parish Church, said the congregation holds a “wide range of strongly held views” and that no matter the outcome, it would be “upsetting for some people”.
They said: “Religion is a protected category under law, and the Church has the right to freedom of religion and belief.
“The Church has affirmed its traditional doctrine on marriage, but permits congregations to depart from it as a matter of liberty of opinion.
“If a congregation decides to depart from the traditional doctrine, they may consider applications from ministers in same-sex marriages or civil partnerships.
“The process was correctly followed and was exactly the same as for all congregations in the Church of Scotland, which are seeking to call a minister.
“The congregation holds a wide range of strongly held views on this matter so no matter what the outcome it would be upsetting for some people.”
