South Africa: Christian Denomination Votes to Lift Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa has voted to lift its ban on gay marriage and start ordaining homosexual ministers. The Christian Post reports that 64 percent of the DRC’s synod voted in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages. 

Though the decision was criticized by other Christian denominations, DRC moderator Nelis Janse van Rensburg said it was made to preserve human dignity. 

He said, "It is historical because with this decision we actually are at a point where there can be no doubt that the Dutch Reformed Church is serious about human dignity."

"And you know that we are living in this country where we have so many problems with the dignity of people."

Van Rensburg also noted that individual DRC churches will not be required to ordain gay ministers or recognize same-sex marriages if they disagree with the synod’s decision. 

The South African DRC claims nearly 1.1 million members and extends into Namibia and Swaziland. It originated from the Dutch Reformed Church of the Netherlands. 

South Africa legalized gay marriage in November 2006. 

Publication date: October 13, 2015