THE head of the Church of Scotland has been criticised about his links to a company behind an anti-gay clergy film.
The Right Rev Albert Bogle, Moderator of the General Assembly, was a previous director of Sanctus Media, a firm whose clients have sent a "partisan" pro-traditionalist DVD to all Scotland's 900 parish ministers ahead of the critical debate on allowing gay clergy in eight weeks.
Although he quit the company when he took on the leadership role, the Moderator has been criticised after the firm was allowed to use his West Lothian manse as its headquarters when he vacated the building for a separate residence.
The DVD was scripted by a Glasgow minister and Sanctus Media said it had no input to its content, which features a number of ministers offering the traditionalist message.
The sleeve notes say the group presents "one side of the argument" on the production called Facing the Reality – Can Someone in a Same Sex Relationship be a Christian Minister?
It adds: "The purpose of this DVD is to examine why many ministers and members of the Church want us to retain the traditionalist understanding of homosexual practice despite increasing pressure from within our rapidly changing society."
In the video, Dr Alistair May, a parish minister in Glasgow, says: "The important thing to remember is it is quite explicit within the New Testament that homosexual practice is not to be condoned."
Later, Rev Wilma Pearson, an associate minister in Glasgow, says: "I struggle to see how a practising homosexual minister can address particular texts in scripture saying although the Bible says this is wrong, my lifestyle says I don't think it's wrong."
One Kirk source said: "Many in the Church are deeply unhappy the Moderator has become embroiled in a partisan production when his office is meant to be a source of unity for the whole Church."
A spokesman for the Church of Scotland said: "For the duration of his moderatorial year, Mr Bogle has vacated the manse of St Andrew's, Bo'ness, and the congregation has allowed Sanctus Media, a not-for-profit company, to use the premises in the meantime." It said the film was made under a commercial contract.
The Moderator declined to comment.
Neil MacLennan, of Sanctus Media, said the firm pays a commercial level of rent for the manse and bills.
l Flat Earth Society members or Jedi Knights could soon be officiating at weddings in Scotland under plans to redefine marriage, according to the Free Church of Scotland.
It has described the Scottish Government's plans to create a third category of marriage, alongside religious and civil, as "completely nonsensical".
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