An openly gay minister in Scotland
whose appointment to Queen's Cross Church in January caused major
controversy is preparing to take up the role on July 3.
Reverend Scott Rennie, 37, withstood a
challenge by religious conservatives in the Church of Scotland, a
Presbyterian denomination, to his appointment last month.
Church leaders voted to keep Rennie as
minister, despite a vocal campaign mounted by opponents – going so
far as likening supporters of gay clergy to Nazis – and a petition
drive that attracted almost 12,000 signatures from clergy
representing various denominations worldwide.
Afterward, the church voted in favor of
a moratorium on gay clergy.
The Anglican Communion is facing a
crisis over the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy.
The crisis began in 2003 in the United
States when the Episcopal Church – the Anglican body in the U.S. –
consecrated the first openly gay bishop, Rev. Gene Robinson of New
Hampshire.
Rennie will conduct his final service
at Brechin Cathedral on June 28, the BBC reported.