Church of Scotland's drift towards same-sex marriage is 'very sad'

 (Photo: Unsplash)

The Christian Institute has called it a "very sad development" after most presbyteries in the Church of Scotland came out in support of same-sex weddings in its church buildings.

A report to the 2022 General Assembly shows that 29 presbyteries gave their backing to legislation which, if passed, will allow ministers to conduct marriage ceremonies for gay couples. 

Twelve presbyteries voted against the draft legislation. 

The report to the forthcoming General Assembly says that no minister will be forced to wed a gay couple or be involved in the arrangements. 

The legislation is to be debated at the General Assembly, taking place online and in Edinburgh from 21 to 26 May. 

Under the proposals, ministers will be able to apply to the Principal Clerk's office to become a celebrant of same-sex weddings. An application would then be made to the Registrar General for Scotland on their behalf.

The legislation requires that in deciding whether to conduct a same-sex marriage ceremony, approved celebrants 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". 

If the legislation is passed, liturgy will be drawn up specifically for use in same-sex marriage ceremonies.

Responding to the news, The Christian Institute's Scotland Officer Nigel Kenny commented: "This is a very sad development in the life of the National Kirk, which has in its constitution a commitment to the Bible as the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice.

"The Bible is crystal clear that true, God-honouring marriage is only between one man and one woman. Jesus' own teaching on this in Matthew 19 could not be clearer. But it seems that the majority of presbyteries are more interested in taking their cue from culture rather than Christ."

58% OFF
G Gradual Men's Fishing Shirt - UPF 50+ Lightweight Short Sleeve Button Down with Zipper Pockets
$14.99 $35.99
VitaUp Beet Root Gummies with CoQ10 & Grape Seed - Nitric Oxide Circulation Support (60 Count)
$0 $27.91
51% OFF
G Gradual Men's Athletic Workout T-Shirt - Moisture Wicking Cooling Short Sleeve Running Tee
$9.89 $19.99
55% OFF
Everyfun 60" Rectangular Platform Tree Swing - 700lbs Heavy Duty Adjustable Outdoor Swing (Colorful)
$49.99 $110.99
49% OFF
Ekouaer Jumpsuits for Women Dressy Casual - Ruffle Cap Sleeve Rib Knit Summer Romper
$14.99 $29.51
61% OFF
Ekouaer Women's Casual Loose Jumpsuit - One-Piece Printed Sleeveless Wide Leg Romper with Pockets
$14.99 $37.99
50% OFF
Ekouaer Lounge Sets for Women - V-Neck Two-Piece Short Pajama Set with Large Pockets
$9.9 $19.99
40% OFF
ROTAKE TB3 20V Heavy Duty 1/2" Cordless Impact Wrench Kit - 1380 Ft-Lbs Torque
$132 $219.99
36% OFF
Men's Athletic Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight & Quick Dry
$12.74 $19.99
61% OFF
Modern Ceiling Fan with Light and Remote - Reversible Quiet DC Motor
$69.3 $179.99
50% OFF
MOOKA H13 True HEPA Air Purifier for Home Large Room - 1076 sq ft Odor Eliminator
$39.97 $79.95
50% OFF
LINGDU V630 3-Channel 4K Dash Cam - Front, Cabin, and Rear Triple Car Camera with 64GB Card
$69.99 $139.99
60% OFF
GKBK Women’s Ribbed Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Slim Fit Tee – Stretchy Basic Summer Top 2026 Trendy Outfit Essential
$4 $9.99
60% OFF
Ekouaer Women's Satin Silky Pajama Set - Short Sleeve Pullover Top & Wide-Leg Pants
$13.99 $34.99
55% OFF
Ekouaer 3-Piece Maternity & Nursing Pajamas Set - Short Sleeve Top with Shorts and Pants
$14.99 $32.99
Sealy 2-Pack Tritech 16" Twin Inflatable Air Mattress with Built-in AC Pump
$0 $113.99
20% OFF
INTEX Prism Frame 20ft x 52in Above Ground Pool Set - Round Steel Frame Swimming Pool
$695.99 $869.99
Gardner Pet 43" Heavy Duty Dog Crate with Wheels - Indestructible Folding Metal Cage (Black)
$0 $149.99
12% OFF
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Bar Stools - Set of 4
$395.99 $449.99
23% OFF
Ergonomic Office Chair - Big and Tall Desk Chair with Adjustable Lumbar Support
$279.99 $363.99
Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Sunderland Minster was right to push back over trans toilet sign
Sunderland Minster was right to push back over trans toilet sign

The arrogance of left-wing activist clergy in the Church of England is unfortunately on full display in the row over ‘trans inclusive’ toilets at Sunderland Minster.

Kemi Badenoch says Christianity a 'force for good', even though she remains agnostic
Kemi Badenoch says Christianity a 'force for good', even though she remains agnostic

The Tory leader said that Christianity is a “force for good” that she will “fight for”.

Catholics and Pentecostals in England hold first official talks
Catholics and Pentecostals in England hold first official talks

Conversations were reportedly “honest and reflective” and examined areas of agreement and potential avenues of collaboration, while also noting potentially sensitive areas.

Christian woman set for abortion zone retrial
Christian woman set for abortion zone retrial

A Christian woman accused of breaching an abortion buffer zone in Northern Ireland is to face a retrial after an “unprecedented judge recusal”.

Today's Top Deals

G Gradual Men's Fishing Shirt - UPF 50+ Lightweight Short Sleeve Button Down with Zipper Pockets

$14.99
$35.99 58% OFF
View Deal

VitaUp Beet Root Gummies with CoQ10 & Grape Seed - Nitric Oxide Circulation Support (60 Count)

$0
$27.91 0% OFF
View Deal

G Gradual Men's Athletic Workout T-Shirt - Moisture Wicking Cooling Short Sleeve Running Tee

$9.89
$19.99 51% OFF
View Deal

Everyfun 60" Rectangular Platform Tree Swing - 700lbs Heavy Duty Adjustable Outdoor Swing (Colorful)

$49.99
$110.99 55% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer Jumpsuits for Women Dressy Casual - Ruffle Cap Sleeve Rib Knit Summer Romper

$14.99
$29.51 49% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer Women's Casual Loose Jumpsuit - One-Piece Printed Sleeveless Wide Leg Romper with Pockets

$14.99
$37.99 61% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer Lounge Sets for Women - V-Neck Two-Piece Short Pajama Set with Large Pockets

$9.9
$19.99 50% OFF
View Deal

ROTAKE TB3 20V Heavy Duty 1/2" Cordless Impact Wrench Kit - 1380 Ft-Lbs Torque

$132
$219.99 40% OFF
View Deal

Men's Athletic Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight & Quick Dry

$12.74
$19.99 36% OFF
View Deal

Modern Ceiling Fan with Light and Remote - Reversible Quiet DC Motor

$69.3
$179.99 61% OFF
View Deal

MOOKA H13 True HEPA Air Purifier for Home Large Room - 1076 sq ft Odor Eliminator

$39.97
$79.95 50% OFF
View Deal

LINGDU V630 3-Channel 4K Dash Cam - Front, Cabin, and Rear Triple Car Camera with 64GB Card

$69.99
$139.99 50% OFF
View Deal

GKBK Women’s Ribbed Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Slim Fit Tee – Stretchy Basic Summer Top 2026 Trendy Outfit Essential

$4
$9.99 60% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer Women's Satin Silky Pajama Set - Short Sleeve Pullover Top & Wide-Leg Pants

$13.99
$34.99 60% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer 3-Piece Maternity & Nursing Pajamas Set - Short Sleeve Top with Shorts and Pants

$14.99
$32.99 55% OFF
View Deal

Sealy 2-Pack Tritech 16" Twin Inflatable Air Mattress with Built-in AC Pump

$0
$113.99 0% OFF
View Deal

INTEX Prism Frame 20ft x 52in Above Ground Pool Set - Round Steel Frame Swimming Pool

$695.99
$869.99 20% OFF
View Deal

Gardner Pet 43" Heavy Duty Dog Crate with Wheels - Indestructible Folding Metal Cage (Black)

$0
$149.99 0% OFF
View Deal

Elegant Mid-Century Modern Bar Stools - Set of 4

$395.99
$449.99 12% OFF
View Deal

Ergonomic Office Chair - Big and Tall Desk Chair with Adjustable Lumbar Support

$279.99
$363.99 23% OFF
View Deal