On Monday the Church of Scotland took the momentous decision to end a two-year ban on congregations appointing gay ministers.

The Kirk’s leadership agreed to allow gay ministers who were ordained before May 2009 – when a temporary ban was imposed after the appointment of the Reverend Scott Rennie in Aberdeen – to put themselves forward to take over congregations if they chose to do so.

However, a decision on whether to allow gay men and women to be ordained in the future will be delayed for two years until the report of a theological commission is received.

Kirk leaders said they believed gay ministers already ordained would not push for open recognition while the new theological commission is undertaken.

Traditionalists were defeated by 351 votes to 294 votes after a six-hour debate at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh on the issue of the induction and ordination of those in same-sex relationships.

A two-year consultation by the Church found that tens of thousands of members would quit if the ordination of gay men and women was allowed.

It is understood there had already been talks between some Highland Kirk members and the more traditionalist Free Church of Scotland.

The General Assembly voted to maintain a ban on members speaking publicly on the issue until 2013, but is understood the evangelical wing will maintain a schismatic stance.

Today traditionalists will sign a “document of dissent” maintaining their position. “It was a surprise … but it is a fight for another day now,” one said.