The Church of Scotland will now allow its pastors and deacons to marry same-sex couples. That was decided by the General Assembly of Scottish Protestants, also known as Presbyterians, in Edinburgh.

Clergymen can therefore decide whether they want to perform the ceremony or not. The decision was preceded by a year-long dispute in the community, also known as “Kirk”. 274 members of the General Assembly voted in favor of opening up to same-sex couples, 136 voted against.

Almost a year ago, the Methodist Church in Great Britain decided to take the step. The largest church in the country, the Anglican Church of England, does not yet allow same-sex marriages in its church buildings or by its priests.