Ministers in the Church of Scotland could conduct same-sex marriages soon.

The Kirk’s general assembly is meeting in Edinburgh at the moment.

They voted in favor of the Legal Questions Committee researching whether there is a way to legally protect Ministers or Deacons who do not feel they can marry same-sex couples ‘as a matter of conscience’.

Their results will be presented at next year’s General Assembly.

Depending on their results, the Kirk could start marrying same-sex couples in the same way as opposite couples.

‘We see this as permissive rather than directive. We say that after reflection we can see no sufficient theological reason for the Church now not to authorize specific ministers to officiate at same-sex weddings,’ said the Very Reverend Iain Torrace.

‘If doing so does not prejudice the position of those who decline to do so for reasons of conscience.

‘I hope, I pray, we are moving to a different stage in this long argument.’

Although it is likely to take another few years, the Kirk’s decision has been hailed as a milestone – especially in light of the Church of England’s steadfast refusal to improve the situation of LGBTI members and clergy.

The Kirk’s Assembly also decided to formally apologize for its past treatment of gay people.

They voted to ‘take stock of its history of discrimination against gay people, at different levels and in different ways’.

Scotland opened marriage to same-sex couples in 2014.

The ‘issue’ of letting same-sex couples marry in the Church has been debated heavily ever since.