Twelve members' court battle with the Dutch Reformed Church
Author | : Laurie Gaum |
Publisher | : African Sun Media |
Total Pages | : 594 |
Release | : 2021-08-12 |
ISBN-10 | : 9780620953733 |
ISBN-13 | : 062095373X |
Rating | : 4/5 (33 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: At the beginning of 2017, the “backlash cycle” was in full swing in church denominations in South Africa as far as embracing sexual diversity was concerned. In 2015 a momentous decision by the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) embracing inclusivity in allowing LGBTIQA+ ministers to not be celibate and its ministers to officiate same-sex marriages, surprised friend and foe. But this was reversed a year later in an Extraordinary General Synod of the church. The disappointing outcome of the De Lange v Methodist Church of Southern Africa case had just been handed down by the Constitutional Court, and the Anglican Church’s stalling on fully affirming sexual diversity, continued.