Source: Cape Argus
The Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa rejected gay marriages after a lengthy debate at its general assembly last week.

The national synod has met all last week to discuss various issues.

In what became a five-hour discussion about homosexuality, the DRC synod agreed that marriages would only be recognized if they were between a man and a woman.

Through most of its history, the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa was closely tied to the Afrikaner community and its apartheid system. After the national church was expelled from the World Alliance of Reformed Churches in the 1980s, the South African denomination distanced itself from apartheid policies. In 1986 all congregations in the church were officially desegregated, but most DRC churches still attract predominantly white congregations.

The marriage decision came despite a petition signed by 500 people, including ministers and academics, supporting equal rights for gays.

However, for former DRC minister Laurie Gaum, who was dismissed two years ago after he revealed he was gay, the decision-making process has also brought liberating news.

Gaum has spent the last couple of years appealing his dismissal but found yesterday that the synod had made an undertaking to allow homosexuals to take up the office of a minister within the church.

He can, therefore, be re-instated.

But this conclusion did not come without a catch.

The church spokesperson, the Reverend Johann Symington, said gays would only be accepted as ministers if they took a vow of celibacy.

While Gaum was pleased with the decision, he said that he felt a "mixed bag" of emotions.

"I feel relieved and excited. I also see it as a positive sign because my appeal has finally been granted.

"The church is moving in the right direction but I am cautiously optimistic about the decision - they still have a long way to go in terms of homosexuality," he said.

Gaum has since moved on to a spirituality centre that tackles social justice issues. He said that while he had won a small victory, he was uncertain of whether he would return to the church.

"I will definitely consider my options but will probably not go back to a congregational ministry.

"I think my ministry has grown much broader," he added.

The general assembly, which was attended by gay people and supporters of the new Civil Union Act, closed last Friday.

Full article: Cape Argus
Includes material from St. Martin's College encyclopedia of religions