Church of Scotland expected to move towards acceptance of same-sex marriage

The Church of Scotland is expected to take steps towards accepting same-sex marriage when it gathers for the General Assembly to debate the issue this Thursday.

On Thursday, the Kirk's General Assembly will be voting on how to conduct LGBT weddings on its churches.

The General Assembly will be debating the sanctity of marriage, but the Kirk has previously stated that its move towards greater acceptance of same-sex marriage would not compromise its traditional view of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

In 2014, Scotland legalized same-sex marriage, but individual church traditions can decide whether to conduct such weddings.

A report prepared for the General Assembly will invite the church to consider making an apology to the gay community for its history of discrimination against gay people.

"On Thursday afternoon the theological forum will be bringing a report to the General Assembly, and this year what they're asking to do is for the assembly, first of all, to consider making an apology to the gay community for things that have have been said in the past and the assembly will have to make up its mind on that," said Moderator Designate the Reverend Dr. Derek Browning, according to the BBC.

Browning also noted that the legal questions committee will be consulted during the meeting to ensure that ministers will be allowed to perform same-sex weddings if they choose to do so. The forum will also discuss the issue of putting up safeguards for those who want to refuse to conduct such marriages because it goes against their conscience.

Premier reported that it could take up to six years before church ministers are able to solemnize gay weddings even if the General Assembly votes in favor of same-sex marriages.

Some traditionalists within the church have expressed their opposition to the proposal to allow same-sex weddings, saying it is not part of God's plan.

"I don't see that people in straight-sex relationships have got it all sorted. We know too many of them have gone wrong as well," said the Reverend Mike Goss. "But we don't bless that which is wrong and that has got to be key in terms of the Gospel," he added.

The Scottish Episcopal Church, a part of the Anglican tradition, is also expected to allow same-sex marriage when it gathers for the General Synod later this year. It would become the first major church in the UK to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in church if the synod approves the proposal.