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EDINBURGH, Scotland, May 25, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A minister in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland says he will likely resign after the denomination moved one step closer to allowing the ordination of openly and actively homosexual clergy this week, with indications that they will even explore the blessing of same-sex unions.

“We have capitulated to society. … It’s a sad day for Scotland,” Rev. Roddy MacCrae, the minister of Glenelg and Kintail on the westcoast mainland, told Christians Together.  “I’ll probably be one who will be leaving the Church of Scotland, and over the next few months I’ll be working that out.”

“My problem is that our witness is weakened.  Society knows that we’re wavering from left to right and we have no moral voice,” he added.

The denomination’s governing body, known as the General Assembly, had instituted a two-year moratorium in 2009 on ordinations of those in same-sex relationships and on public discussions of the issue.

On Monday, they voted 351 to 294 to “consider further the lifting of the moratorium” and created a theological commission that will prepare a report on the issue for the 2013 meeting of the General Assembly.

The theological commission will also consider “whether ministers should have freedom of conscience to bless civil partnerships and possible liturgy for such occasions,” notes a press release from the Church of Scotland, also known as the Kirk.

The General Assembly also voted to allow those homosexual ministers and deacons ordained before May 2009 to now be given pastoral responsibilities.

The 2009 moratorium came after a firestorm of controversy leading up to the General Assembly’s decision to approve the appointment of openly homosexual Scott Rennie as the minister for Queen’s Cross Church in Aberdeen.  Rennie had been married for five years and had a daughter, but by the time of his appointment was in an ongoing relationship with a man.

The General Assembly’s Moderator, Right Reverend David Arnott, said this week’s move “explores inclusion” but “no decisions have yet been made.”  Speaking of those upset about the decision, he said, “I am aware that many people will be hurting today and the Church of Scotland has a pastoral duty to look after these people and show them our love and compassion.”

The move was welcomed by the militant homosexual lobby group Stonewall, whose Scottish branch said they hope the decision “signals the start of the Kirk demonstrating a commitment to fairness, equality and dignity on this issue.”

“Although we await further decisions from the assembly and details on the next steps, we hope that in thirty years’ time this will be regarded as a storm in a teacup,” said director Carl Watt.

Evangelical and conservative members of the Kirk are up in arms, however.  A recent report suggested that about 100,000 members and a fifth of the clergy would leave in protest if the denomination allowed homosexual ministers.

In the deliberations, Rev. Andrew Coghill won loud applause when he likened the General Assembly’s move to a “hand grenade,” according to the Christian Post.  “We’re being asked to pull the pin out.  It will blow the church apart.”

Earlier this month, the U.S. Presbyterian Church formally approved the ordination of homosexuals after a decades-long battle.  The denomination voted to remove a requirement that clergy remain in “fidelity in the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.”