LONDON — By a narrow majority the Church of Scotland on May 23 became the first major church in Britain to formally allow its ministers to bless gay relationships, but only if they want to.
   
     The fiercely contested decision is provisional, however, and will have to be approved by a majority of the church’s 49 presbyteries before coming back to next year’s General Assembly for final approval.
   
     The question arose as the result of the 2005 Civil Partnership Act, which allows same-sex couples in the United Kingdom to register their partnership in a civil ceremony. However, ministers who blessed those relationships until now ran the risk of church disciplinary proceedings.
   
     As the debate made clear, many ministers and elders still feel that approving gay and lesbian relationships runs counter to Scripture.
   
     “We are standing on the edge of taking the first decision that I can remember where we have taken a step out of God's word,” warned the Rev. Bruce Gardner of Aberdeenshire.
   
     Some ministers, meanwhile, feel they have no option but to bless a particular relationship if asked to do so.
   
     The Rev. Tom Gordon, who for 12 years has served as a chaplain at a cancer hospice, told the assembly how he blessed the relationship of two lesbians, one of whom was dying. “I could do no other,” he said.
   
     Under the policy, the church said any minister who conducts a service to bless a civil partnership would not face disciplinary action. The church also said no minister was obliged to conduct such a service against his or her conscience.
   
     The final policy passed in a 322-314 vote.