Gay minister looks forward to "normal life" in new church

A gay Kirk minister said he was looking forward to returning to "some kind of normal life" today as he prepared to be formally inducted into his new church.

Reverend Scott Rennie's appointment to Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen caused a rift in Scotland's churchgoing community when announced earlier this year.

Around 900 elders and Church of Scotland members took part in a four-hour debate on the decision to appoint the 37-year-old divorcee at the General Assembly in Edinburgh in May.

The Kirk's ruling body voted to support Reverend Rennie despite protests from some members.

Speaking before his induction ceremony at the church this evening, Mr Rennie said: "I'm very happy to be here at Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen where the congregation called me to be their minister.

"I'm looking forward to many happy years serving God in this church, in this parish and in this part of the city.

"The induction ceremony tonight will be a special occasion for myself and for the congregation.

"I look forward to getting on with the task at hand and returning to some kind of normal life."

The 7pm induction ceremony, led by Reverend Alan Falconer, will feature prayers, hymns and sermons.

A spokeswoman for Aberdeen Presbytery said: "I think everything is more settled now.

"The congregation want Scott to be their minister and I'm sure they are now just ready to get on with things."