Gay marriage and the church
Same-sex marriage
Following a vote at the 2022 General Assembly, Church of Scotland ministers and deacons who decide to do so may marry same-sex couples.
The General Assembly voted 274 to 136 to change a standing church law to allow the right to apply to become an authorised celebrant to deeds same-sex ceremonies. The vote came after a majority of presbyteries (29) approved the "Solemnisation of Equal Sex Marriage Overture", which was sent to the presbyteries for consideration under the Barrier Act. Twelve presbyteries voted against approval.
Only those who choose to participate in the solemnisation of, or be committed in the arrangements for, a same-sex marriage will do so - it is not a requirement.
Under the terms of the legislation, an individual must apply to the Chief Clerk's office to develop a celebrant. An application would then be made to the Registrar General for Scotland on their behalf.
The Principal Clerk will maintain an up-to-date register of celebrants and they would be personally responsible for renewing their status every three years.
The Church's Legal Questions Committee is producing guidance to assist in the practical operation of Church law.
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Why This Issue Matters
I’m a pastor. My concern is with the church—what she believes, what she celebrates, and what she proclaims. Achieving some legal and political end is not my primary calling and yet, I’m concerned that many younger Christians—ironically, often those most attuned to societal transformation and social justice—do not see the connection between a traditional view of marriage and human flourishing. Many Christians are keen to resurrect the old pro-choice mantra touted by some Catholic politicians: personally opposed, but publicly none of my business. I want Christians to see why this issue matters and why—when same-sex marriage became the law of the land—the integrity of the family was weakened and the freedom of the church was threatened.
I know this is an increasingly unpopular line of reasoning, even for those who are inclined to accept the Bible’s teaching about marriage. Perhaps you believe that homosexual behavior is biblically unacceptable. And yet, you wonder what’s wrong with supporting same-sex marriage as a legal and political right. After all, we don’t have laws against gossip or adultery or the worship of phony gods. Even if I don’t agree with it,
Same-Sex Marriage
Legal proceedings and legislative action in a number of countries have given civil recognition to homosexual marriage relationships, and the question of same-sex marriage continues to be widely debated. As we confront this and other issues, we encourage all to bear in mind our Heavenly Father’s purposes in creating the earth and providing for our mortal birth and experience here as His children. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God and is main to His plan for His children and for the well-being of culture. Strong families, guided by a loving mother and father, serve as the fundamental institution for nurturing children, instilling faith, and transmitting to future generations the moral strengths and values that are essential to civilization and pivotal to eternal salvation.
Changes in the civil law accomplish not—indeed, cannot—chan
Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ+ Issues: Roman Catholic Church
BACKGROUND
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the world, with approximately 1.2 billion members across the globe. With its origins in the earliest days of Christianity, the Church traces its leadership––in the person of the Pope––to St. Peter, identified by Jesus as “the rock” on which the Church would be built.
The Catholic Church in the Combined States numbers over 70 million members, and is organized in 33 Provinces, each led by an archbishop. Each bishop answers directly to the Pope, not to an archbishop. Those Provinces are further divided into 195 dioceses, each led by a bishop. At the build of the organizational structure are local parishes, headed by a pastor, appointed by the local bishop. The Conference of Catholic Bishops in the Joined States meets semi-annually.
As part of a global company with its institutional center at the Vatican, the Catholic Church in America is shaped by worldwide societal and cultural trends. It is further shaped by leadership that is entirely male, with women excluded from the priesthood and thus from key leadership roles.
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