We will take some time to pray and reflect on what the General Synod has committed to, before we discern what must be done to support people in congregations all over Scotland who will be unable to support this innovation.

At its meeting in Edinburgh from 11-13 June, the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church chose to delete any reference to marriage as being between a man and a woman in order to facilitate its clergy in marrying two people of the same sex.

In contrast to that decision, we reaffirm the doctrine of marriage as given in the Old Testament in Genesis 2:24, reaffirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:5 and by Paul in Ephesians 5:31 – ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’

We are committed to loving and supporting all the people in our congregations, including many gay people, and in particular at this time those who are left confused and distressed by the decisions of the General Synod.

We will take some time to pray and reflect on what the General Synod has committed to, before we discern what must be done to support people in congregations all over Scotland who will be unable to support this innovation.

Signed

Rev Canon Ian Ferguson, Westhill Community Church, Aberdeenshire

Rev Canon Dr Douglas Kornahrens, Holy Cross, Davidsons Mains, Edinburgh

Rev Alistair MacDonald, St Drostan’s, Insch & All Saints, Woodhead of Fyvie

Rev Dave McCarthy, St Thomas’, Corstorphine, Edinburgh

Rev Dr Philip Noble (Retired)

Rev Canon Dave Richards, St Paul’s & St George’s, Edinburgh

Rev Canon Malcolm Round, St Mungo’s, Balerno

Rev Paul Watson, St Devenick’s, Bieldside, Aberdeen