THE Church of Scotland minister at the centre of a gay row has broken his silence.

The Reverend Scott Rennie, the homosexual Church of Scotland minister whose appointment to Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen threatens to polarise the Church's General Assembly, has spoken for the first time of his struggle to come to terms with his sexuality and its impact on his family, his partner and the Kirk.

More than 5000 people, including 266 Church ministers, have signed an online petition opposing his appointment.

In what is believed to be the first case of its kind since the Disruption of 1843, 12 members of the Aberdeen presbytery are appealing to the General Assembly against the appointment of Mr Rennie "on the basis of his life and doctrine". The decision will be made on May 23.

Mr Rennie, 37, minister of Brechin Cathedral since 1999, makes his views known in the journal of One Kirk, a group that believes too narrow an interpretation of scripture on sexuality and other areas risks alienating many members from the Church.

He says: "It wasn't until after the demise of my marriage that I finally decided I had to face up to my own issues around sexuality.

"Other gay people serving in the ministry or as lay people in churches feel caught between a rock and a hard place because the church does not appreciate them as gay people, while they are treated with suspicion within the gay community because of their Christian faith.

He understands those who oppose him because: "I grew up in a conservative evangelical church and initially shared their perspective. I wrestled with that perspective internally for most of my life. Now I think that it is mistaken, however faithfully held."

Mr Rennie's ex-wife, Ruth, says he and his partner have her full support, and praises him as "a dedicated and loving father".