Church of
Scotland to bless same-sex unions?

On the heels of Britain's new Civil Partnership Act, the Church of Scotland might soon be blessing same-sex unions. The church's legal questions committee has prepared a report on the matter that recommends the step to the General Assembly, the church's supreme court, which will consider the proposal when it meets in May, The Times of London reports. The committee's report says the "obvious new pressure" the church faces is "the reality of civil partnerships being entered into and fully recognized by law," and it suggests that the church needs to act upon this fact. Of gay couples entering such partnerships, the report adds, "it is not surprising to find them turning to a sympathetic minister to provide some form of religious ceremony to mark the event." If the General Assembly agrees to bless same-sex unions, it will increase pressure on the Church of England to follow suit with English gay couples. It will also likely be condemned by the Church of Scotland's strong evangelical bloc. (Advocate.com)