Evangelical group apologises to gay minister for untrue claims

By Cameron Brooks

Published:

AN EVANGELICAL group within the Church of Scotland has been forced to apologise to a gay minister and his family for spreading misinformation about his personal circumstances, it emerged yesterday.

Forward Together has accepted it was wrong to tell its members that Scott Rennie left his wife Ruth and young daughter to set up home with another man.

The climbdown comes after the Aberdeen-born minister’s solicitors took exception to a statement made by Forward Together chairman Douglas Cranston.

Mr Cranston and his colleagues are opposed to Mr Rennie, 37, being appointed minister to Queen’s Cross Church in Aberdeen because he intends to live in the manse with his partner, known only as David.

In a communication to members, he stated: “It is difficult to understand what would constitute an unacceptable lifestyle in terms of our ordination vows if a man who leaves his wife and child and sets up home with another man as his partner is deemed acceptable.”

Mr Rennie’s solicitor informed the group that his wife left him and he did not meet his current partner, a religious and moral education teacher at a secondary school in Aberdeen, until two years later.

In a statement, the group said: “Forward Together apologises unreservedly for giving the impression that Mr Rennie left his wife and child for his present male partner and for any distress this may have caused Mr Rennie, his wife and his family.”

The group paid Mr Rennie’s small legal costs.

The minister was divorced by the time he came to terms with his sexuality, which he says has made him better at his job because he is more compassionate and understanding of the complexities of people’s real lives.

Some of the 12 Aberdeen Presbytery members who are trying to block his appointment are members of Forward Together.

The Kirk’s General Assembly is debating whether Mr Rennie, who is minister at Brechin Cathedral, should be appointed on May 23.

supportive

The Presbytery of Lochcarron and Skye have lodged an overture – or motion – which calls on the Kirk “not to accept for training, ordain, admit, readmit, induct or introduce to any ministry of the church anyone involved in a sexual relationship outside of marriage between a man and a woman”.

The congregation and kirk session at Queen’s Cross Church is fully supportive of Mr Rennie’s appointment because he is widely recognised as an enthusiastic and gifted preacher.

Mr Rennie declined to make any comment on the latest twist in the row which Forward Together says represents the biggest crisis facing the Kirk in 160 years.

Pro-gay church group Affirmation Scotland said the group’s apology was “inadequate”, however.

Chaplain Lindsay Biddle said: “It is not surprising they have spread misinformation because they do not have credible grounds for their position.

“Scott Rennie is a strong and brave individual with a lot of integrity and rather than damaging him, this episode reflects badly on Forward Together.”

Forward Together spokes-man Ian Watson said an honest mistake was made and there was “no intention to distort the truth or create trouble”.