ORGANISTS will be able to opt out of playing at same sex weddings in the Church of Scotland, according to a new report.

The document to go before the General Assembly in May also says church officers need not play any part in same sex marriage ceremonies if they do not wish to do so.

There were fears organists and others connected with a parish or Kirk Session who do not want any participation could fall foul of equality laws, but Church legal opinion backs their right to refuse to be involved.

The Herald:

The legal guidance to the Kirk's Legal Questions Committee said protections in law allow people connected to the Kirk to refuse to take part in same sex weddings.

Read more: Lack of organists see churches rely on "hymn karaoke" machines​

The report states: “If a minister or deacon is authorised and the church is permitted to be used, but a prospective participant does not wish to be involved, there may have to be specific arrangements made for the couple to be assisted to find a substitute - if, for example, the organist does not wish to play at the ceremony - or for designated individuals to be willing to step in - if, say, the church officer does not wish to be involved."

Laura Dunlop, QC, who holds the office of Procurator to the General Assembly, the annual gathering of church figures in Edinburgh, states in the Opinion that key features of equality law provisions include: "A celebrant - minister or deacon - does not contravene the Equality Act only by refusing to solemnise a marriage on the basis that it is a same sex marriage, and a person who would normally participate in a wedding service, such as an organist, does not contravene the Act by refusing to take part because the wedding is a same sex one.

Read more: Lack of organists see churches rely on "hymn karaoke" machines​

"These protections are not subject to a test of compliance with doctrine or with religious convictions, but are absolute."

At last year 's assembly the Kirk paved the way to allowing same sex marriage in church after a historic debate that also backed a formal apology to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people.