The Church of Scotland’s legislation will now be updated to remove references to a marriage taking place between a husband and wife, and refer instead to “parties”. However, it comes as the Church of England has consistently refused to approve same-sex marriages, and many will see the latest vote as yet further pressure on the institution south of the Border. The vote makes the Church of Scotland the largest church in the UK to allow gay marriages. The church’s General Assembly, its decision-making body, voted by 274 to 136 on Monday to allow its ministers and deacons to opt to officiate at same-sex weddings, ending a centuries-old prohibition. The Church of Scotland will allow gay marriages for the first time following a historic vote, but clergy can opt out of holding services.
