Scott Rennie
Encyclopedia
Rev. Scott Martin Rennie FRSA (born 31 March 1972, Aberdeen
) is a Scottish theologian
, and was Minister of Brechin Cathedral
in the Church of Scotland
from 4 November 1999 until 2 July 2009. He is currently the minister of Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
.
, Aberdeen
. He studied Geography at the University of Aberdeen
, and Divinity at Christ's College, Aberdeen
. He served as Assistant Minister at Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
, studying for a Masters in Sacred Theology at Union Theological Seminary
in New York City
on a Scots Fellowship. Rev. Rennie is a member of the Church of Scotland's Taskforce on Human Sexuality, and currently working towards a Doctor of Ministry
degree at the University of Aberdeen
and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
.
Rev. Rennie was married to his wife, Ruth, with whom he has a daughter, for five years before they separated and divorced. Rennie subsequently formed a relationship with his now partner, Dr. David Smith FRSA, a Biblical Studies scholar. Rennie is a member of the Liberal Democrats
and a former Prospective Parliamentary Candidate
for the Liberal Democrats in Angus
. He is also a well-known supporter of Aberdeen Football Club, aka 'The Dons'.
, having informed the congregation of his circumstances. At the conclusion of the service, following a secret ballot, he was duly declared Minister Elect by 140 votes to 28. Subsequently, 246 members of the church and 13 other adherents signed the Call.
The call from Queen's Cross Church was upheld by the Presbytery of Aberdeen
on 6 January 2009 by 60 votes to 24. This was the first time that a congregation and presbytery had voted to sustain the call of an openly homosexual
minister within the Church of Scotland. However, following the presbytery's vote which allowed Rev. Rennie to proceed to Queen's Cross Parish Church, a group of 12 ministers and elders within the Presbytery, led by the Rev Ian Aitken (New Stockethill, New Charge Development, Aberdeen), dissented (objected) and complained to the Commission of the General Assembly.
On 25 March 2009, following a narrow majority of 1, it was agreed by the Commission that the case be referred to the General Assembly
, the Church of Scotland's supreme court, for judgement. It was the first time that a presbytery's decision to sustain the call of a minister had been challenged in the church's supreme court since the Disruption of 1843
.
Following an apology from evangelical
Church of Scotland organisation Forward Together
over an incorrect statement concerning Rev. Rennie's personal circumstances, a conversation between Rev. Rennie and OneKirk Convener, the Rev. Peter Johnston, was published, in which Rev. Rennie spoke about the challenge of growing up in a conservative church:
Judith Pearson and Trevor Salmon, joint session clerks of Queen's Cross, wrote to The Herald
newspaper in support of Rev. Rennie, saying:
On the same evening that Rev. Rennie's case was heard, an overture (motion) was to be received from the Presbytery of Lochcarron-Skye which, in the light of Rev. Rennie's call to Queen's Cross, sought to prevent anyone in an extra-marital sexual relationship from working in the church:
The Rev Dr William J. U. Philip
, the minister of St George's-Tron Church
, Glasgow, in concert with Forward Together
, founded an online petition in order to support this overture, which received 12,555 signatures, including 481 Church of Scotland Ministers
and 33 Kirk Sessions, and also to express their opposition to the appointment of Rev. Rennie.
On the opening day of the Church of Scotland
's General Assembly, Thursday 21 May, an attempt was made to change the order of business by hearing the Locharran-Skye overture before the Rennie case, against the legal advice of the Overture and Appeals Committee. The attempt to change the order of business was interpreted by some as being designed to strengthen the cause of those opposed to Rev. Rennie's appointment. Speaking to his motion, the Rev. Peter Parks argued that it would be illogical to decide a specific case without having already established the principle against which the case would be tested. The General Assembly was unconvinced and comfortably defeated Rev. Parks's motion, having been persuaded that it would be unjust to hear the overture first due to the danger of anachronism
.
On the day of Rev. Rennie's hearing, 23 May, a protest against the appointment was held outside the General Assembly Hall
by around twenty members of Glasgow's Zion Baptist Church. The American Westboro Baptist Church
announced its intention to picket the meeting of the General Assembly on 23 May and Queen's Cross Church on 24 May, although this did not go ahead. A counter-protest was held by a number of groups, including Liberal Youth Scotland
, the Scottish youth wing of the Liberal Democrats
, which attracted around eighty demonstraters.
On 23 May, the General Assembly voted 326 to 267 to uphold the nomination of Rev. Rennie. 121 commissioners formally dissented in writing against this decision. Debate on the Lochcarron-Skye overture was postponed until Monday 25 May, when it was decided to establish a two-year Special Commission on the issue reporting in 2011. A moratorium on the induction and ordination of openly gay ministers was passed until that time, and a ban on making public statements concerning the induction and ordination of gay ministers also came into effect.
In January 2009, a censurable allegation against Rev. Rennie, that his 'lifestyle' constitutes a great 'public scandal' (or Fama Clamosa in Church of Scotland law), was lodged with the Presbytery of Angus (in which Brechin Cathedral resides). A committee of three was formed to investigate this allegation, but it was immediately suspended due to the Aitken and Others verses the Presbytery of Aberdeen case which was pending. On 25 May, the General Assembly passed a motion moved by Rev. Allan McCafferty, which clarified the General Assembly's will that Rev. Rennie be inducted into the charge of Queen's Cross Church, without further hindrance:
On Wednesday 3 June, an Angus Presbytery Investigating Committee met to consider the allegation against Rev. Rennie that his 'lifestyle' was not acceptable for a minister of the gospel. However, this charge was not upheld and Rev. Rennie was released to move to Aberdeen Presbytery, where he was subsequently inducted into the charge of Queen's Cross Parish Church on Friday 3 July at 1900. On Sunday 5 July, the Very Rev. Dr James Simpson, a former moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, led worship and preached the first sermon by way of welcome to Rev. Rennie.
, which took place on Thursday 5 November 2009. On 24 March 2010 he was given the ceremonial role of Burgess of Guild of the City of Aberdeen.
On Thursday 24 February, Rev. Rennie was invited to participate in a debate at the Cambridge Union Society
entitled: 'This House Believes the Path to Success is Straight.' Alongside Lieutenant Commanders Craig Jones MBE and Mandy McBain, Rev. Rennie proposed the motion, while Baron Smith of Finsbury, Andrew Pierce
, and Femi Otitoju were narrowly successful in opposing it.
On Sunday 31 July 2011, the U.S. Westboro Baptist Church
announced its intention to picket Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
on 30 October 2011. Member of the Scottish Parliament
Mark McDonald
lodged motion S4M-00609 ('Planned Westboro Baptist Church Visit to Aberdeen') in the Scottish Parliament
in order to 'call' on the Home Secretary
the Right Honorable Theresa May
MP to confirm the continuation of the 2009 ban on Fred Phelps and Shirley Phelps-Roper
and to extend it to other members of the Westboro Baptist Church
:
Rev. Rennie replied to the planned visit by Westboro Baptist Church by emphasising the welcoming character of Queen's Cross Church and Jesus
, whilst also highlighting the dangers of fundamentalism:
Fred Phelps
responded by condemning the Church of Scotland
, the Rev. Scott Rennie, the Government of the United Kingdom
, and Mark McDonald
in a You Tube broadcast. Following the restatement of the ban on the Phelps' entry to the United Kingdom, the Aberdeen National Front (United Kingdom) indicated their intention to protest against Scott Rennie and Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
on Sunday 30 October.
In a rare interview on Radio Scotland
's 'Sunday Morning with Ricky Ross', broadcast on 25 September 2011, Rev. Rennie discussed his faith and life. Commenting on the Scottish Government's marriage consultation, Rev. Rennie stated that 'marriage has always been an evolving institution'.
On Sunday 2 October 2011, the English Churchman
distributed anti-gay
leaflets to church attendees prior to the 10am Sunday service and affixed a poster to the church notice board.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
) is a Scottish theologian
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, and was Minister of Brechin Cathedral
Brechin Cathedral
The cathedral church of the Holy Trinity in Brechin, Angus, Scotland, belongs to the 13th century. It is in the Pointed style, but suffered maltreatment in 1806 at the hands of restorers, whose work was subsequently removed during the restoration completed in 1902...
in the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
from 4 November 1999 until 2 July 2009. He is currently the minister of Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
Queen's Cross Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. It is located at the intersection of Carden Place and Albyn Place, at Queen's Cross in the heart of Aberdeen's west end business community...
.
Background
Rennie was born on 31 March 1972 in BucksburnBucksburn
Bucksburn is an area of the city of Aberdeen, Scotland, named after the stream that flows through it. Bucksburn was formerly a market village before being swallowed up by the spread of the city. It is now categorised as a "Neighbourhood" by Aberdeen City Council...
, Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
. He studied Geography at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
, and Divinity at Christ's College, Aberdeen
Christ's College, Aberdeen
Christ's College, Aberdeen was one of three colleges in Scotland founded by the Free Church of Scotland for the training of ministers following the Disruption of 1843. The other two were New College, Edinburgh and Trinity College, Glasgow....
. He served as Assistant Minister at Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
Queen's Cross Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. It is located at the intersection of Carden Place and Albyn Place, at Queen's Cross in the heart of Aberdeen's west end business community...
, studying for a Masters in Sacred Theology at Union Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York is a preeminent independent graduate school of theology, located in Manhattan between Claremont Avenue and Broadway, 120th to 122nd Streets. The seminary was founded in 1836 under the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with nearby Columbia...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on a Scots Fellowship. Rev. Rennie is a member of the Church of Scotland's Taskforce on Human Sexuality, and currently working towards a Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Ministry
The Doctor of Ministry degree is, according to The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada , a doctoral level degree oriented toward ministerial leadership often in an area of applied theology, such as missions, evangelism, church leadership, pastoral psychology or the...
degree at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, founded in 1794, is a graduate theological institution associated with the Presbyterian Church USA. It is located in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA and houses one of the largest theological libraries in the nation...
.
Rev. Rennie was married to his wife, Ruth, with whom he has a daughter, for five years before they separated and divorced. Rennie subsequently formed a relationship with his now partner, Dr. David Smith FRSA, a Biblical Studies scholar. Rennie is a member of the Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
and a former Prospective Parliamentary Candidate
Prospective parliamentary candidate
Prospective parliamentary candidate is a term used in British politics to refer to candidates selected by political parties to fight individual constituencies in advance of a general election. This terminology was motivated by the strict limits on the amount of expenses incurred by an actual...
for the Liberal Democrats in Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
. He is also a well-known supporter of Aberdeen Football Club, aka 'The Dons'.
Queen's Cross Church
On 23 November 2008, Rev. Rennie preached as sole nominee for Queen's Cross ChurchQueen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
Queen's Cross Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. It is located at the intersection of Carden Place and Albyn Place, at Queen's Cross in the heart of Aberdeen's west end business community...
, having informed the congregation of his circumstances. At the conclusion of the service, following a secret ballot, he was duly declared Minister Elect by 140 votes to 28. Subsequently, 246 members of the church and 13 other adherents signed the Call.
The call from Queen's Cross Church was upheld by the Presbytery of Aberdeen
Presbytery of Aberdeen
The Presbytery of Aberdeen is one of the forty-six presbyteries of the Church of Scotland, being the local presbytery for the city of Aberdeen. The current moderator is the Rev John M Watson, who is minister of St Mark's Church. The presbytery represents and supervises forty-four Church of Scotland...
on 6 January 2009 by 60 votes to 24. This was the first time that a congregation and presbytery had voted to sustain the call of an openly homosexual
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
minister within the Church of Scotland. However, following the presbytery's vote which allowed Rev. Rennie to proceed to Queen's Cross Parish Church, a group of 12 ministers and elders within the Presbytery, led by the Rev Ian Aitken (New Stockethill, New Charge Development, Aberdeen), dissented (objected) and complained to the Commission of the General Assembly.
On 25 March 2009, following a narrow majority of 1, it was agreed by the Commission that the case be referred to the General Assembly
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the sovereign and highest court of the Church of Scotland, and is thus the Church's governing body[1] An Introduction to Practice and Procedure in the Church of Scotland, A Gordon McGillivray, 2nd Edition .-Church courts:As a Presbyterian church,...
, the Church of Scotland's supreme court, for judgement. It was the first time that a presbytery's decision to sustain the call of a minister had been challenged in the church's supreme court since the Disruption of 1843
Disruption of 1843
The Disruption of 1843 was a schism within the established Church of Scotland, in which 450 ministers of the Church broke away, over the issue of the Church's relationship with the State, to form the Free Church of Scotland...
.
Following an apology from evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Church of Scotland organisation Forward Together
Forward Together (Scotland)
Forward Together is an evangelical organisation within the Church of Scotland which acts as a pressure group on a variety of issues. It currently represents 600 ministers and members of the Church of Scotland....
over an incorrect statement concerning Rev. Rennie's personal circumstances, a conversation between Rev. Rennie and OneKirk Convener, the Rev. Peter Johnston, was published, in which Rev. Rennie spoke about the challenge of growing up in a conservative church:
As a young man growing up in a conservative church, it felt impossible to deal with issues around my own sexuality. It did not feel like a safe environment, and certainly not one in which I could have found support and understanding. So, I came to believe that I had to ignore it and do what I thought was the right thing at the time: live a heterosexual life.
Judith Pearson and Trevor Salmon, joint session clerks of Queen's Cross, wrote to The Herald
The Herald (Glasgow)
The Herald is a broadsheet newspaper published Monday to Saturday in Glasgow, and available throughout Scotland. As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 47,226, giving it a lead over Scotland's other 'quality' national daily, The Scotsman, published in Edinburgh.The 1889 to 1906 editions...
newspaper in support of Rev. Rennie, saying:
The congregation were fully conversant with all relevant facts before they voted for and signed the call to Scott Rennie. Our call is based upon his gifts and our corresponding needs, and upon our real sense that he is the person best equipped to serve alongside us and to offer leadership to us.
General Assembly 2009
The case against Rev. Rennie was titled Aitken and Others versus the Presbytery of Aberdeen, and heard on Saturday 23 May 2009. It was intended to answer the following question:What was the law of the Church at the time (6 January 2009) the Presbytery of Aberdeen made the decision that has been challenged; and was the Presbytery entitled to make the decision it made in the light of the legal position at that time?
On the same evening that Rev. Rennie's case was heard, an overture (motion) was to be received from the Presbytery of Lochcarron-Skye which, in the light of Rev. Rennie's call to Queen's Cross, sought to prevent anyone in an extra-marital sexual relationship from working in the church:
No court or agency of the Church may accept for training, ordain, admit, re-admit, induct or introduce to any ministry of the Church anyone involved in a sexual relationship outside of faithful marriage between a man and a woman.
The Rev Dr William J. U. Philip
William J. U. Philip
William James Unwin Philip is currently minister of St George's-Tron Church in city-centre Glasgow, Scotland, where he moved after 5 years with the Proclamation Trust in London...
, the minister of St George's-Tron Church
St George's-Tron Church
The St George's-Tron Church in Glasgow, Scotland, commonly known simply as "The Tron", is a Church of Scotland parish church in Glasgow's city centre, located in Nelson Mandela Place near Queen Street Station...
, Glasgow, in concert with Forward Together
Forward Together (Scotland)
Forward Together is an evangelical organisation within the Church of Scotland which acts as a pressure group on a variety of issues. It currently represents 600 ministers and members of the Church of Scotland....
, founded an online petition in order to support this overture, which received 12,555 signatures, including 481 Church of Scotland Ministers
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
and 33 Kirk Sessions, and also to express their opposition to the appointment of Rev. Rennie.
On the opening day of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
's General Assembly, Thursday 21 May, an attempt was made to change the order of business by hearing the Locharran-Skye overture before the Rennie case, against the legal advice of the Overture and Appeals Committee. The attempt to change the order of business was interpreted by some as being designed to strengthen the cause of those opposed to Rev. Rennie's appointment. Speaking to his motion, the Rev. Peter Parks argued that it would be illogical to decide a specific case without having already established the principle against which the case would be tested. The General Assembly was unconvinced and comfortably defeated Rev. Parks's motion, having been persuaded that it would be unjust to hear the overture first due to the danger of anachronism
Anachronism
An anachronism—from the Greek ανά and χρόνος — is an inconsistency in some chronological arrangement, especially a chronological misplacing of persons, events, objects, or customs in regard to each other...
.
On the day of Rev. Rennie's hearing, 23 May, a protest against the appointment was held outside the General Assembly Hall
General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland
The Assembly Hall is located between the Lawnmarket and The Mound in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the meeting place of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.-History:...
by around twenty members of Glasgow's Zion Baptist Church. The American Westboro Baptist Church
Westboro Baptist Church
The Westboro Baptist Church is an independent Baptist church known for its extreme stance against homosexuality and its protest activities, which include picketing funerals and desecrating the American flag. The church is widely described as a hate group and is monitored as such by the...
announced its intention to picket the meeting of the General Assembly on 23 May and Queen's Cross Church on 24 May, although this did not go ahead. A counter-protest was held by a number of groups, including Liberal Youth Scotland
Liberal Youth Scotland
Liberal Youth Scotland is the youth and students wing of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Reformed from the Scottish Young Liberal Democrats in 2008, the organisation has taken a prominent role in party conferences...
, the Scottish youth wing of the Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
, which attracted around eighty demonstraters.
On 23 May, the General Assembly voted 326 to 267 to uphold the nomination of Rev. Rennie. 121 commissioners formally dissented in writing against this decision. Debate on the Lochcarron-Skye overture was postponed until Monday 25 May, when it was decided to establish a two-year Special Commission on the issue reporting in 2011. A moratorium on the induction and ordination of openly gay ministers was passed until that time, and a ban on making public statements concerning the induction and ordination of gay ministers also came into effect.
In January 2009, a censurable allegation against Rev. Rennie, that his 'lifestyle' constitutes a great 'public scandal' (or Fama Clamosa in Church of Scotland law), was lodged with the Presbytery of Angus (in which Brechin Cathedral resides). A committee of three was formed to investigate this allegation, but it was immediately suspended due to the Aitken and Others verses the Presbytery of Aberdeen case which was pending. On 25 May, the General Assembly passed a motion moved by Rev. Allan McCafferty, which clarified the General Assembly's will that Rev. Rennie be inducted into the charge of Queen's Cross Church, without further hindrance:
For the avoidance of doubt affirm that the provisions of this whole motion shall in no way be interpreted as offering grounds for challenging the decision of the General Assembly of 2009 in the Referred Case heard in Session V and all other related matters of process [empahsis added].
On Wednesday 3 June, an Angus Presbytery Investigating Committee met to consider the allegation against Rev. Rennie that his 'lifestyle' was not acceptable for a minister of the gospel. However, this charge was not upheld and Rev. Rennie was released to move to Aberdeen Presbytery, where he was subsequently inducted into the charge of Queen's Cross Parish Church on Friday 3 July at 1900. On Sunday 5 July, the Very Rev. Dr James Simpson, a former moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, led worship and preached the first sermon by way of welcome to Rev. Rennie.
Post-General Assembly 2009 to Present
Rev. Rennie was nominated for, and subsequently won, the award of 'Hero of the Year' at the Fourth Annual Stonewall AwardsStonewall Awards
The Stonewall Awards is an annual event to celebrate people who have had a positive impact on the lives of British LGBT people. The event was first held in 2006 at the Royal Academy of Arts and from 2007 were held at the Victoria and Albert Museum.-2006:...
, which took place on Thursday 5 November 2009. On 24 March 2010 he was given the ceremonial role of Burgess of Guild of the City of Aberdeen.
On Thursday 24 February, Rev. Rennie was invited to participate in a debate at the Cambridge Union Society
Cambridge Union Society
The Cambridge Union Society, commonly referred to as simply "the Cambridge Union" or "the Union," is a debating society in Cambridge, England and is the largest society at the University of Cambridge. Since its founding in 1815, the Union has developed a worldwide reputation as a noted symbol of...
entitled: 'This House Believes the Path to Success is Straight.' Alongside Lieutenant Commanders Craig Jones MBE and Mandy McBain, Rev. Rennie proposed the motion, while Baron Smith of Finsbury, Andrew Pierce
Andrew Pierce
Andrew Pierce is a British journalist and radio presenter.Pierce is a columnist for the Daily Mail and was previously Assistant Editor of The Daily Telegraph and assistant editor of the Times.- References :...
, and Femi Otitoju were narrowly successful in opposing it.
On Sunday 31 July 2011, the U.S. Westboro Baptist Church
Westboro Baptist Church
The Westboro Baptist Church is an independent Baptist church known for its extreme stance against homosexuality and its protest activities, which include picketing funerals and desecrating the American flag. The church is widely described as a hate group and is monitored as such by the...
announced its intention to picket Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
Queen's Cross Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. It is located at the intersection of Carden Place and Albyn Place, at Queen's Cross in the heart of Aberdeen's west end business community...
on 30 October 2011. Member of the Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
Mark McDonald
Mark McDonald
Mark McDonald is a Scottish National Party politician and Member of the Scottish Parliament for the North East Scotland region. -Education and Early Career:...
lodged motion S4M-00609 ('Planned Westboro Baptist Church Visit to Aberdeen') in the Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament...
in order to 'call' on the Home Secretary
Home Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
the Right Honorable Theresa May
Theresa May
Theresa Mary May is a British Conservative politician who is Home Secretary in the Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition government. She was elected to Parliament in 1997 as the Member of Parliament for Maidenhead, and served as the Chairman of the Conservative Party, 2003–04...
MP to confirm the continuation of the 2009 ban on Fred Phelps and Shirley Phelps-Roper
Shirley Phelps-Roper
Shirley Lynn Phelps-Roper is an American lawyer and political activist. She is best known as the spokesperson of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, an organization known for its highly publicized public protests conducted under the slogan "God Hates...
and to extend it to other members of the Westboro Baptist Church
Westboro Baptist Church
The Westboro Baptist Church is an independent Baptist church known for its extreme stance against homosexuality and its protest activities, which include picketing funerals and desecrating the American flag. The church is widely described as a hate group and is monitored as such by the...
:
That the Parliament notes the stated intention of the Westboro Baptist Church to picket Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen in protest at the presence of the Reverend Scott Rennie; further notes that the Westboro Baptist Church has gained notoriety for its extreme, homophobic views and pickets of American soldiers' funerals; also notes that the head of the church, Pastor Fred Phelps, and his daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper, appeared on a list of individuals banned from entering the United Kingdom in 2009; considers that the views espoused by Pastor Phelps and his followers have no place in 21st century Scotland, and calls on the Home Secretary to confirm the continuation of the ban on their entry to the UK and to consider extending it to cover all known members of Westboro Baptist Church.
Rev. Rennie replied to the planned visit by Westboro Baptist Church by emphasising the welcoming character of Queen's Cross Church and Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, whilst also highlighting the dangers of fundamentalism:
"Everyone and anyone is welcome at Queen's Cross Church - that's the way Jesus was, and that's the way we are. If they don't want to join us in worship and choose to protest, then that will be up to them." Mr Rennie added: "I know a lot of people are concerned by their visit, but I am quite relaxed about it. "At the very least, it is a good reminder to us all of the dangers of fundamentalism, and the absurdity of where it can lead you. They happen to shout a lot, whereas others hold their hateful views more secretly." He continued: "Most Christians are neither homophobic nor extremist, but are moderate people who seek to share the love of God in the community in which they live."
Fred Phelps
Fred Phelps
Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr. is an American pastor heading the Westboro Baptist Church , an independent Baptist church based in Topeka, Kansas...
responded by condemning the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
, the Rev. Scott Rennie, the Government of the United Kingdom
Government of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Government is the central government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Government is led by the Prime Minister, who selects all the remaining Ministers...
, and Mark McDonald
Mark McDonald
Mark McDonald is a Scottish National Party politician and Member of the Scottish Parliament for the North East Scotland region. -Education and Early Career:...
in a You Tube broadcast. Following the restatement of the ban on the Phelps' entry to the United Kingdom, the Aberdeen National Front (United Kingdom) indicated their intention to protest against Scott Rennie and Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen
Queen's Cross Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. It is located at the intersection of Carden Place and Albyn Place, at Queen's Cross in the heart of Aberdeen's west end business community...
on Sunday 30 October.
In a rare interview on Radio Scotland
Radio Scotland
Radio Scotland was an offshore pirate radio station broadcasting on 1241 kHz mediumwave , created by Tommy Shields in 1965. The station was located on the former lightship M.V...
's 'Sunday Morning with Ricky Ross', broadcast on 25 September 2011, Rev. Rennie discussed his faith and life. Commenting on the Scottish Government's marriage consultation, Rev. Rennie stated that 'marriage has always been an evolving institution'.
On Sunday 2 October 2011, the English Churchman
English Churchman
The English Churchman is a family Protestant newspaper that was founded in 1843. The formal title of the newspaper is English Churchman and St James' Chronicle...
distributed anti-gay
LGBT rights opposition
LGBT rights opposition refers to active opposition to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights. Organizations influential in LGBT rights opposition frequently challenge judicial rulings, and legislative initiatives, and dispute findings that sexual orientation is an immutable...
leaflets to church attendees prior to the 10am Sunday service and affixed a poster to the church notice board.
See also
- Queen's Cross Church, AberdeenQueen's Cross Church, AberdeenQueen's Cross Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. It is located at the intersection of Carden Place and Albyn Place, at Queen's Cross in the heart of Aberdeen's west end business community...
- Church of ScotlandChurch of ScotlandThe Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
- Affirmation ScotlandAffirmation ScotlandAffirmation Scotland is a group within the Church of Scotland seeking full inclusion of the LGBT communities within the Church.-Background:Affirmation Scotland calls for a Church characterised by grace, compassion and inclusion...
- Fellowship of Confessing ChurchesFellowship of Confessing ChurchesThe Fellowship of Confessing Churches is a fellowship of congregations of the Church of Scotland that was formed in April 2009 in response to the decision of the General Assembly to uphold the ordination of Scott Rennie, a minister who was in a homosexual relationship, in order to declare their...