A GROUP of evangelicals within the Church of Scotland has apologised over posting a statement about gay rights among ministers the day after the Orlando massacre at a gay club in which 49 people were killed and dozens injured.

The Covenant Fellowship Scotland, a protest movement set up in 2014 to stand against allowing ministers in same-sex relationships, said its statement was in response to the Kirk's latest move towards ministers in same-sex marriage at its annual gathering last month.

The timing of the posting on its website, which has not been taken down, was described as "utterly incredulous".

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A senior clergyman connected to the liberal group OneKirk, formed by congregations who support same-sex marriage among ministers, said he was was astonished the statement had been put up 24 hours after the Orlando atrocity when a gay club was targeted by gunman Omar Mateen.

Eric Smith, an elder and director of the fellowship, posted the statement, which read: "We remain deeply saddened by the Church’s continued travel down the road of allowing ministers and deacons to live in same-sex relationships, having now extended this from civil partnerships to include same-sex marriage."

It added that "many in assembly expressed great sadness that the scriptural model of marriage as between one man and one woman has been abandoned in this way".

The Herald:

The fellowship was formed partly to push for a traditionalist stance from within the Kirk, rather than leaving the main body of the Church.

At the May General Assembly in Edinburgh commissioners decided by 339 votes to 215 to update Church law to keep pace with Scots Law, and moving towards same-sex marriages among ministers.

At the time 84 out of 730 of the church leaders put their names to a notice of dissent by Rev Mike Goss, of Barry Parish Church, Angus, who is a fellowship member

Rev Bryan Kerr, minister at Greyfriars, Lanark and depute clerk of Lanarkshire Presbytery, said: "We know there are different opinions within the Church of Scotland about inclusion, but for a group to publicly post a statement saying that they are saddened that the Kirk is moving towards full inclusion of LGBTI ministers and members the day after 49 people were murdered for being LGBTI is utterly incredulous.

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"Right now we ought to be standing with the victims and families in Orlando.

"I am saddened and angry that within the Church of Scotland there exists a group who felt that making that statement here and now was a good idea.

The fellowship said: "On the morning of Monday June 13, we posted an article on our website blog, commenting on the recent Church of Scotland General Assembly.

"The timing of this piece, given part of its subject matter, has been criticised as being insensitive and inappropriate in the light of events in Orlando, Florida.

"For that we apologise.

The Herald:

"There are many, many people hurting deeply at this time as the result of this violent and unjustified attack.

"Such violence against any human being is unacceptable and our response is a clear and unequivocal condemnation of these acts.

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"We grieve for those who have lost their lives, we mourn with those who have lost loved ones, and we pray for all who are grieving the loss of loved ones, for those currently in hospital in pain and distress, for those who seek to help and treat them and for all who feel threatened by what has happened."