We are not homophobic, says church
The Dutch Reformed Church has
refuted claims that it is homophobic.
This comes after the church had to explain itself at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday as to why it had retracted an approval of same-sex unions in 2016.
Twelve members of the Dutch Reformed Church has taken legal actions over the decision.
In 2015 the church gave its blessing to same -sex unions but a year later it changed its stance following mounting pressure from some congregants.
The church also announced that homosexual individuals can only be a minister if he or she is celibate.
The church’s Gustav Claassen says they tried to engage the members outside court.
“We tried to interact with them but I think from both sides there was reluctant to interact with each other and keep the matter out of court, this is also as an embarrassment for the church that we had to take this matter to court.”
Judgment was reserved on Tuesday and the court is expect to return with a verdict in the next three to four weeks.
Claassen is adamant that the church accepts homosexual members and that it is not homophobic.
“As part of the 2016 decision we made it clear that we welcome these people, but the church is not comfortable or in a space at this stage to make a decision on same-sex marriages of pastors, but these people are very much welcomed to the Dutch Reformed Church.”
Same-sex marriage has been legal in South Africa since the Civil Union Act came into force in November 2006.