The Church of Scotland faces a fresh crisis over its attitude towards homosexuality after an openly gay man was selected by one of the country’s largest and most influential presbyteries to train as a minister.

The decision comes less than six months after the appointment of a gay minister in Aberdeen almost split the Kirk. The selection of Scott Rennie, a divorced father, who now lives with his male partner, horrified traditionalists, some of whom threatened to leave the Church. In an attempt to defuse the increasingly bitter row, the Kirk approved a two-year ban on the induction and ordination of homosexual ministers.

During that time, a special commission will examine the issue before reporting to the Kirk’s General Assembly in 2011 in order to determine the Church’s position, based on the findings of the report.

However, despite the ban, Hamilton Presbytery, the third biggest in Scotland, voted last Tuesday to nominate a man in a civil partnership for training.

Church officials are thought to have backed his candidacy after receiving advice from the Ministries Council, an internal Kirk body that supports would-be trainees.

The advice says that potential applicants should “not suffer prejudice” before the commission submits its report.

It states: “Following the decisions made at this year’s General Assembly, applicants may have concerns about the possible implications for the process of assessment and nomination.

“The assessment processes of the Ministries Council, and in particular at this conference, have not been affected by the Assembly’s decisions, and no one should suffer any prejudice in any direction as a result.”

While the advice assures homosexual candidates that they should not be deterred from applying, it also reminds them that the Kirk could decide against the appointment of gay ministers once it has considered the issue in 2011.

“Applicants should bear these points in mind as they pursue their sense of calling and make practical decisions as a result of the Church’s processes and decisions,” it states. “It is important to emphasise that acceptance into the training process of the Church is never a guarantee of employment.”

It is thought that the Hamilton Presbytery Committee had initially told the man, whose identity is unknown, to resist from applying until the Church clarified its position in 2011, but changed its mind at the 11th hour after receiving the Ministries Council advice. There have also been suggestions that the applicant had sought legal advice over his right to apply.

The Times understands that the man’s nomination is now subject to a ten-day appeal process, in which those who disagree with his selection for training can submit their “complaints and dissent”.

Critics are likely to question why the Kirk should fund training for applicants. It takes about four and a half years to train for the ministry, which includes undertaking a three-year divinity degree and placements, with the £38,000 cost met by the Church.

A spokesman for the Hamilton Presbytery confirmed that a meeting had been held last Tuesday, but declined to comment on the “private” proceedings.

A spokeswoman for the Church of Scotland said that she could not comment on individual cases.

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