The leader of a religious community yesterday spoke in favour of homosexuality and same sex marriage before a controversial debate.

The Rev Kathy Galloway, head of the Iona Community, signalled the stance at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in Edinburgh, saying 10% of the group's 270 members were openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.

She told the assembly that gay members of their community and staff had "enriched" their lives.

Her comments came ahead of a debate today on human sexuality.

Ms Galloway told the assembly: "One of the great joys for us this year...has been the opportunity to share in the celebrations of those of our members who have entered civil partnerships.

"About 10% of our membership and staff are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. They are fully and openly part of our common life, part of our body.

"They are part of our common prayer, and we pray equally for their chosen partners and respect their choices.

"I could not begin to tell you how much these members have enriched our community - in our worship, our action for justice and peace, in pastoral support and theological reflection."

The week-long annual gathering, being held at the Assembly Hall on The Mound, will debate a report by the Kirk which admits a "historic intolerance" towards gay people.

The issue of same sex marriage has been a difficult one for the Church. Last year the assembly decided to allow ministers to conduct civil partnerships rejected by the presbytery, meaning ministers who conduct such ceremonies could be open to discipline if complaints were made.

The Iona community, which started in 1938, is a multi-faith organisation which has 1800 associates worldwide, but maintains its roots in the Kirk, reporting to the general assembly.

Ms Galloway added: "They have deepened our spirituality, supported our families and have modelled forgiveness and reconciliation.

"Their sexuality is not the only or even the most interesting thing about them. Many of them, whether single or with partners, have experienced ignorance, misunderstanding and unremitting hostility in churches.

"As Christians the world judges us not by our doctrinal discussions but how we stand by our greatest claim: to love God and to love one another."

Church leaders also called for the withdrawal of UK troops from Iraq "as soon as possible".

Delegates agreed that the continued presence of UK forces could "no longer be seen as a positive contribution to resolving the situation".

The UK government was also criticised for not preventing the hanging of the country's former president Saddam Hussein.

A report by the Kirk's Church and Society Council stated: "For the past four years we have maintained the position that, while we have been opposed to the invasion, we believe that Her Majesty's Government had a responsibility to maintain a military presence in Iraq charged with helping to put things right.

"We now believe that this argument can no longer hold. It is becoming increasingly clear that the presence of British and American troops is continuing focus for attacks carried out by the various militias.

"We cannot honestly say that we can see overall benefits to the people of Iraq to be gained by the continued presence of British troops."

The assembly also discussed the death penalty, though it suspended any further discussion until a full report is carried out.

Assembly members did, however, agree to express their "deep regret" that the Westminster government had not done more to prevent the use of capital punishment in the war-torn country. Delegates also discussed fair trade, energy and climate change, human trafficking, law and order, gambling and the Middle East.