Was it because of a timely intervention on behalf of victims of the credit crunch, an outspoken contribution to the debate on politicians' expenses or a Joanna Lumley-like championing of a badly treated group? Sadly no. All these are subjects on which a vibrant, relevant church should have a view, but the Church of Scotland is far too busy tearing itself apart over the issue of homosexual ministers.

The row surrounds Scott Rennie, a gay man who has been appointed minister of Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen. He is, by all accounts, a popular, hard working minister who was the overwhelming choice of the congregation when he applied for the post. However, he wants to live in the manse with his partner and, as of yesterday, 7000 people including many fellow ministers, had signed an on-line petition calling for the General Assembly to take the unprecedented step of blocking his appointment when it discusses the affair on23rd May. Opponents argue it is incompatible to be both a Christian and an active homosexual.

This is a storm that has been waiting to break over the Kirk ever since it attempted to kick the matter into the long grass in 2007, when its Sexuality Report avoided coming down on either side and simply called for "a period of reflection". Precious little reflection appears to have taken place and the only surprise is that it has taken so long for a cause celebre to appear. We can but sympathise with Mr Rennie, who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

We have no intention of entering the theological debate. Nor are we taking a view on whether, in a Presbyterian church, the democratic view of a congregation should be respected. Suffice to say that both camps appear firmly entrenched in their views.

But we do believe that, for the sake of the Kirk's future, the General Assembly must make a definitive ruling on the 23rd. Another attempt to fudge a woolly compromise will only lead to continued in-fighting and sap energy away from far more important work the church should be doing within society. Indeed, Reverend Professor Andrew McGowan, former principal of the Highland Theological College in Dingwall and now minister at East Church of Scotland in Inverness, who has signed the petition, indicates today that he will continue to press the matter from within the Kirk.

Whichever path is chosen, a significant number of people will disagree. But hopefully they will retain a sense of perspective and see that the Kirk is far bigger, and far more important, than an issue that is peripheral to most church-goers and barely registers with the general public.

Historical link

CAMPAIGNERS in Nairn are absolutely right to object to developers' plans to do away with the street name Maggot Road. It is part of the town's history and should not be casually abandoned simply because some unimaginative marketing executive believes the proposed bland alternatives such as Riverside Drive or Bailey Drive will sell more houses.

We stand four square behind the towns folk's cause.

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