Evangelists apologise for slur on gay cleric

AN EVANGELICAL group has been forced to apologise to a gay Church of Scotland minister and his family for spreading misinformation about his private life.

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 conservative group's chairman Douglas Cranston and his colleagues are opposed to Rennie, 37, being appointed minister to Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen because he intends to live in the manse with his partner David.

Rennie's solicitor told the group 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.

Forward Together apologised unreservedly and paid Rennie's legal costs.

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

The Presbytery of Lochcarron and Skye has 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".