Newburgh minister plans civil partnership with partner
The furious row over gay clergy has been reignited following revelations a Fife minister plans to "marry" her same-sex partner.
The Rev Lynn Brady of Newburgh Parish Church stunned elders with plans to enter into a civil partnership with her long-term partner.
The Church of Scotland has been torn apart in recent years, as Kirk leaders have been unable to find a unifying stance on the issue of homosexual ministers.
For many the ordination of openly gay clergy is outrageous and the issue has sparked bitter divisions throughout the country.
It is understood elders at Newburgh, and Abdie and Dunbog, initially tried to keep Miss Brady's plans quiet. However, the news has quickly spread, causing shockwaves in the community.
The development has disgusted some members of her congregation, one of whom insisted it was "wholly inappropriate".
However, Miss Brady (47) — a former presbytery moderator — also has her supporters, with the Rev Dr John Cameron of St Andrews branding the news "absolutely fine".
What is certain is that the revelations will cause further turmoil within the Church of Scotland.
Back in May, the Kirk controversially voted to allow the interim ordination of homosexual ministers pending a special theological report scheduled in 2013.
The issue hit the headlines in 2009 when homosexual Scott Rennie was appointed at a church in Aberdeen.
News of Miss Brady's plans have already sparked huge controversy.
"I just find the whole thing wholly unacceptable," one Newburgh resident said. "Your local minister is supposed to set an example ... and for her to marry another woman is just completely out of order.
"A lot of people are extremely unhappy about this and it will be interesting to see if it has an effect on the number of people attending church in the town."
However, Dr Cameron insists those with a problem should "go off and form their own sect".
"I am fairly relaxed about this — it is absolutely fine as far as I am concerned," he told The Courier. "It is actually against the law to discriminate against gay people ... and the church must obey the law.
"People who cannot accept it really need to go off and form their own sect."
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02.09pm - 29.08.2011 Newburgh Resident - Newburgh, UK Report This
Please publish a balanced view on this - most residents in Newburgh could not care less about Reverend Brady's sexuality. She is a fantastic asset to the community, is tireless in her aim to develop the community and is so loved by all children at Newburgh Primary School.
02.12pm - 29.08.2011 LM - Dundee, Scotland Report This
The attitudes displayedby some of these "Christians" is really confusing. Live and let live. It is not your problem who your Minister marries/has a civil partnership with.Homophobics often have repressed issues regarding their own sexuality, rather than that of others.
02.41pm - 29.08.2011 Jock Ferguson - Newburgh, Scotland Report This
As usual, the Newburgh bigots are anonymous. It is not just ignorance and prejudice but against the law to discriminate against gay people. Such boors and bigots bring shame on Newburgh.
02.52pm - 29.08.2011 L Young - Newburgh, Scotland Report This
Good luck to the couple! Why should somebody's sexuality be anybody else's concern, regardless of their occupation? It's about time some churchgoers took a look at their bigoted views and start to consider what being a Christian really means.
03.10pm - 29.08.2011 Scott - Dundee, UK Report This
EVERYTHING seems to happen in Newburgh, yet the population must be something like 2,000. Amazing.
05.03pm - 29.08.2011 LM - Dundee, Scotland Report This
True, Scott. Maybe, they could have bus tours so that we people fae Dundee can have a nosey at the goings on in Newburgh. Might help raise funds for a new religious sect too!
07.26pm - 29.08.2011 Scott - Dundee, UK Report This
It would be terrible if it went the same way as the poor Amish folks in Pa.
07.43pm - 29.08.2011 Heather Bain - Newburgh, Fife Report This
Rev Brady is a great role model. She is a wonderful human being and truly a selfless, kind, lovely lady. Let's hope the community in Newburgh can support her during this chaos.
08.12pm - 29.08.2011 P Doff - Newburgh, Scotland Report This
Rev Brady was very welcoming to me and my partner when we attended an event held in her church just before we actually moved into our house here. Sadly we have not had the same welcoming attitude from some of the other residents, a proportion of whom attend her church - shame on those individuals.
09.00pm - 29.08.2011 newburghwindfarm - Newburgh, Fife Report This
Used to think we had the coolest lady minister in Scotland. Now I know we DO HAVE the coolest lady minister in Scotland Go for it Rev Brady
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