The Church of Scotland has voted to let its ministers enter same-sex marriages — though saying it "maintains its traditional view of marriage between a man and woman."

At its general assembly, meeting in Edinburgh, voted Saturday to allow congregations to "opt out" from traditional teaching if they wish to appoint a minister or a deacon in a same-sex marriage.

However, Church of Scotland clergy will not be allowed to conduct same-sex weddings. A debate on whether to sanction gay marriages within the church won't be held until the church's Theological Forum presents a report next year.

Gay marriage has been a divisive issue for religious groups around the world. Scotland's official church is a Presbyterian denomination with about 400,000 members.