St George’s Tron
St George’s Tron church in Glasgow has become the first to split from the Church of Scotland over the issue of gay clergy.
Media reports followed Rev. Dr William Philip’s announcement on St George’s web site after ‘more than 12 months of thought and prayer’.
According to Dr Philip, the vote of the Scottish Kirk’s general assembly to accept gay clergy in same-sex relationships had ‘marginalised the Bible’. His 500-strong church, based on Buchanan Street, has now broken away from the Church of Scotland.
On 11 June, Dr Philip wrote a blog post on St George’s Tron web site, which read: ‘Over a year ago, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland took the decisive step of walking away from the historic, orthodox gospel.
‘We see clearly that the situation faced by our church family in recent days is shared by many in the worldwide confessing church today. There is great encouragement to know we don’t stand alone’.
Last year, eight ministers left the Church of Scotland over the issue, although this is the first instance of an entire congregation leaving.
