Historic Move: Churches Overlook Same-Sex Marriage to Unite
The Church of England and the Church of Scotland agreed to make history by deciding to re-unite, despite differences on gay marriage.
The Church of Scotland voted during its general assembly May 21 to allow its ministers to be in same-sex marriages, which currently conflicts with the Church of England's stance on traditional marriage, according to the BBC.
However, that won't stop the two churches from uniting after nearly 500 years of separation.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby addressed the general assembly and urged support for the unity motion.
"We won't always necessarily find ourselves walking in step with one another, something I've been particularly conscious of, as, like you, we have been considering the issues around same-sex marriages, and following your earlier debate on ministers in same-sex marriages," Welby said.
However, under the terms of the agreement it appears that the Church of England will have to accept the Church of Scotland's position on gay marriage. The partnership requires both denominations to welcome members into one another's congregation.
Rev. Christina Beardsley, a member of The Sibyls, which calls itself a Christian group for transgender people, said England would benefit in accepting the same model as the Church of Scotland.
Beardsley told the Sunday Telegraph, "It is helpful that within the U.K. there is this model now available. People who are hesitant will be able to see how it works out and they will see that the sky isn't going to fall in. The pressure will be on."
However, the moderator of the conservative Free Church of Scotland, Rev. David Robertson, said he was "saddened" by the decision.
"It is a sad day for the Christian churches in Scotland when what used to be the National Kirk, has now departed so clearly from the Bible," Robertson said.
Robertson said the Church of Scotland "no longer speaks for Scotland and it no longer represents Scotland's Christians - we simply state 'not in our name'."
