Kirk magazine censors over gay clergy row

Life and Work, the independent Church of Scotland magazine, has been accused of censorship for restricting discussion of the ordination of gay ministers.

The move follows a decision by the general assembly, the kirk’s supreme court, to forbid debate on the issue while it is being examined by a special commission.

The move was prompted by the appointment earlier this year of Rev Scott Rennie, an openly gay minister, to Queen’s Cross parish church in Aberdeen.

The appointment was preceded by a controversial leading article written by Muriel Armstrong, the acting editor of Life and Work, in which she supported Rennie’s appointment and accused hardliners of quoting selectively from the bible to oppose the ordination of homosexuals.

Now Lynne McNeil, the magazine’s editor, who recently returned from maternity leave, has decided not to publish any more letters about Armstrong’s editorial.

The decision has provoked anger among liberals, who have claimed that the magazine has sacrificed its editorial independence to avoid incurring the wrath of church officials.

The magazine’s independence is to be reviewed by the kirk’s mission and discipleship council following the publication of Armstrong’s controversial editorial. A committee is to be established to decide on the magazine’s future editorial content.

• Full story at the Sunday Times.

• Posted in Church of Scotland, Media, Sexuality