The Scottish Episcopal Church\u2019s General Synod voted on Thursday to allow its clergy to solemnise marriages for same-sex couples in church. After two hours of respectful and emotional debate in St Paul\u2019s and St George\u2019s, Edinburgh, the Synod gave final approval to a revised Canon 31 on the solemnisation of holy matrimony.<\/p>\n
The first two clauses of Canon 31 \u2014 containing the doctrinal statement that marriage is to be understood as a \u201cphysical, spiritual and mystical union of one man and one woman\u201d \u2014 were deleted, and replaced with a single conscience clause to ensure that no cleric would be obliged to officiate against his or her conscience.<\/p>\n
A special majority of two-thirds was required in each House for the second and final reading to be passed, and the Synod agreed (Motion 4) to conduct the vote by ballot. A two-thirds majority was obtained in all three Houses: Bishops 4 to 1; Clergy 42 to 20; and Laity 50 to 12.<\/p>\n