There are “no wounds to heal” in Kirkcaldy Presbytery after it was named as one of 13 church bodies in Scotland to vote against gay ordination.
The Fife group of leading church figures was the only one in Courier Country not to back proposals to allow Kirk Sessions the possibility of allowing ministers and deacons who are in a civil partnership to apply for vacant charges.
Scotland’s 45 church bodies voted last month on the highly controversial matter with 54.6% supporting and 45.4% against the plans.
However, Kirkcaldy Presbytery rejected the proposal by 32 votes to 24 following what has been described as a “good debate”.
Despite the emotive subject, the Rev Robin McAlpine, moderator, said that it was the detail that prompted members to vote against the proposal.
“The reason Kirkcaldy Presbytery voted against it was not due to any theological objection,” he said.
“It was voted against because it was felt the legislation was not well prepared. It was one of the best debates that we have had for a while.
“Both sides put views forward and people listened, that was fairly obvious. There are no wounds to heal.”
The standard of debate was praised by the Rev Gillian Paterson, minister at Wellesley Parish Church in Methil.
She added that the matter had been handled well by the presbytery.
“I thought it was a good debate,” she said.
“Nothing got overly passionate and it was a good opportunity to hear both sides.”
Dunfermline Presbytery backed gay ordination by 26 votes to 24.
The results were more emphatic in St Andrews, Perth, Dundee and Angus, all of which overwhelmingly supported the ordaining of homosexual clergy.
The Church of Scotland figures show that throughout Scotland’s presbyteries, 1,391 individuals voted in favour with 1,153 against.
A final decision on the issue will be taken at the General Assembly in Edinburgh in May.