Some weeks ago a churchman offered the view that the world’s current distresses, including the Coronavirus pandemic, the droughts, floods, fires, earthquakes and swarms of locusts, not to mention its wars and insurgencies, were the just judgment of God arising from the adoption by the west of homosexuality in a now institutional form and was…
Primates meet in Jordan ahead of Lambeth Conference
Primates from 33 of the Anglican Communion’s 40 provinces met in Jordan from January 13-15 for the last full primates’ meeting before the 2020 Lambeth Conference of Bishops.
Synod fails to elect a new Bishop
A meeting on March 16 of the Electoral Synod of the Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway could not achieve a majority vote for a new Bishop to succeed the Rt Rev Dr Gregor Duncan, who retired in October 2018.
Edinburgh church votes to split from the Scottish Episcopal Church in sign of schism at decision to support gay marriage
One of the largest churches in Edinburgh has voted to split from the Scottish Episcopal Church amid tensions over its decision to become the first Anglican body in the UK to endorse gay marriage. St Thomas’ is the latest evangelical parish to quit the official Anglican church in Scotland and back a rival splinter movement…
Resignations follow Aberdeen & Orkney appointment of same-sex marriage bishop
Following the selection and appointment by four Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church of the Reverend Canon Anne Dyer as Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney on 9 November, there are now serious questions being asked about the process. The Rector of St Margaret’s, Aberdeen, the Very Reverend Dr Emsley Nimmo, immediately resigned from his role…
Island parish leaves Scottish Episcopal Church over same-sex marriage
The people of Christ Church, Harris, announced today that they will no longer remain under the oversight of the bishop of Argyll and the Isles, the Right Reverend Kevin Pearson. This follows his decision to support the change to the canons of the Scottish Episcopal Church which introduced of same-sex marriage. The congregation made it…
First female Bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church is elected
The Episcopal Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church today elected the Rev Canon Anne Dyer as the new Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney. Canon Dyer has been Rector of Holy Trinity church, Haddington, since 2011. Her wider church involvement includes being a member of the Scottish Episcopal Institute Council and a member of General Synod….
Anglican Communion imposes ‘sanctions’ on Scottish Episcopal Church
Primates of the Anglican Communion, meeting at Canterbury, have sanctioned Scottish Episcopal Church following its decision in June to approve same-sex marriage. A communiqué from the Anglican Communion office issued today said: “We listened carefully to the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) and with sadness accepted that the consequences for our relationships agreed…
Statement on same-sex marriage
Statement to the All Saints congregation by Rev Sydney Maitland in response to alterations to Canon 31 to permit the solemnisation in church of same-sex marriage. (Updated on 9 July 2017.)
Scottish Episcopal Church votes to allow ‘equal marriage’
The General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church today voted in favour of altering the church’s Canon on Marriage to remove the definition that marriage is between a man and a woman and add a new section that acknowledges that there are different understandings of marriage which now allows clergy to solemnise marriage between same…
Official report on Diocesan Synod 2017
The Dean, Very Revd Ian Barcroft presided at the Synod Eucharist and read the Bishop’s Charge on behalf of Bishop Gregor who could not be there as he was still recovering at home from a stroke. The elections to various positions were undertaken early in the agenda before the main topic on the agenda, changes…
Rev Sydney Maitland’s contribution to Diocesan Synod debate on same-sex marriage
‘This amendment may bring some a short-lived satisfaction but will cause great and long-term damage to the body of Christ as a whole. And to some, it will be fatal.’
Bishop Gregor Duncan opposes same-sex marriage in Diocesan Synod debate
‘Neither the Law of Scotland, nor anything in scripture, tradition or reason persuades me to depart from what Canon 31.1 still says about marriage.’
Diocesan Synod votes for same-sex marriage despite Bishop Gregor Duncan’s opposition
The main business at this year’s Diocesan Synod, held in Dumfries on March 3, was the proposal to delete from the church’s Canon 31 on marriage the stipulation that marriage should be between a man and a woman. In his ‘charge’ to the Synod, read in his absence through illness, Bishop Gregor Duncan said: “I…
Marriage canon change ‘elevates gender and sexual identity above all other considerations’
Contribution by Rev Sydney Maitland to the General Synod’s debate on same-sex marriage on 10 June 2016. ‘When our world says Achieve Yourself, the gospel says Deny Yourself.’
Scottish Episcopal Church takes first step towards same sex marriage
The Scottish Episcopal Church took the first step towards allowing same sex marriage when its General Synod approved a change to the Church’s canon on marriage at a meeting in Edinburgh today (10 June). A first reading of a motion to remove the doctrinal clause which states that marriage is between a man and a…
Video: A conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury
A half-hour interview conducted by Tom Gjelten, Religion and Belief correspondent for NPR, for the Council on Foreign Relations, Justin Welby covers doctrine and how issues are perceived differently in the West and the Global South, with the ramifications of ordaining an openly gay bishop.
The Church and same-sex marriage
Last month’s passage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Act into Scots law has prompted a clarification from the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Rt Rev David Chillingworth. He said: ‘It produces an interesting situation for churches and faith groups who, like the Scottish Episcopal Church, have a historic position expressed in our Canons…
David Chillingworth: same-sex marriage and ‘a serious missional issue’
The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Rt Rev David Chillingworth, has again commented on same-sex marriage. He said that “rapid change in social attitudes around these issues – particularly among young people – mean that there is a serious missional issue”. With regard to the Anglican Communion, he called for discussion on the “nature…
