A north-east MSP has claimed giving congregations the discretion to appoint ministers in same-sex relationships would “ultimately weaken” the Church of Scotland.
Conservative Alex Johnstone, an elder at Glenbervie Parish Church in Aberdeenshire, said the compromise went against the principles on which the Kirk was founded.
The politician spoke out after figures showed 21 of 46 presbyteries have so far voted in favour of a controversial “mixed economy” policy that would give congregations the freedom to appoint a gay man or woman if they wished.
This means the proposal would need the support of only three more presbyteries before it could be referred to the General Assembly, which has the ultimate say over whether it should become Kirk law.
The debate over the issue was triggered by the appointment of the Rev Scott Rennie to Queen’s Cross Church in Aberdeen in 2009.
Mr Johnstone claimed the Kirk had been “indecisive” and had to ensure that the mixed economy proposal was consistent with its theological position.
“Churches compromising to keep people happy is diametrically opposed to the principals on which they are founded,” he added.
“Ultimately the consequence of compromise in this area will further weaken the institution.”
The Rev Douglas Cranston, acting director of evangelical Kirk group Forward Together, has said the adoption of the policy would fail to heal divisions and lead to a “steady drift away from the national Church”.