South African Church Approves Gay Clergy, Same-sex Blessings

History made as South African Church Votes to Bless Same-sex marriage and Ordain Gay Ministers | O-blog-dee-o-blog-da

Dutch Reformed Church Theological College

YES! for Gay People in Dutch Reformed Church – NG Kerk  – There were Tears of joy after the announcement.

 

By Melanie Nathan, October 08, 2015.

 

History was made in South Africa today, when the synod of  what was once probably the most conservative church on the planet, the Dutch Reformed Church, (NG Kerk/ DRC) in an overwhelming majority,  voted in favor of ordaining gay ministers and blessing same sex unions.

Source:  O-blog-dee-o-blog-da

Synod Father Supports Blessings for Gay Couples

German synod father says Church could give ‘private blessings’ to same-sex unions – CatholicHerald

Bishop Bode says the Church could do more to support people in stable unions

One of the three German bishops who will attend next month’s Synod of Bishops on the Family has proposed that the Catholic Church might offer “private blessings” to same-sex couples.Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of Osnabruck said it was possible to see strengths as well as weaknesses in both gay relationships and in those of cohabiting heterosexuals.He said that the Catholic Church could not accept gay marriage because it understood marriage as a union between a husband and a wife that was open to the procreation of children.But the bishop said that since the Church was bound not to discriminate against homosexuals by the Catechism of the Catholic Church it should do more to support those who were in stable unions.

Source: CatholicHerald.co.uk » German synod father says Church could give ‘private blessings’ to same-sex unions

Anglican Bishop of Liverpool calls for blessings for same-sex civil partners

One of the most senior Church of England bishops has broken ranks with colleagues to say that the church should offer blessing services for same-sex couples in civil partnerships

Bishop_James_jones 17 MARCH 2013 | BY ANDREW POTTS

Liverpool Anglican Bishop James Jones has broken ranks with other senior Church of England clergy to call for blessing services to be offered to same-sex couples in civil partnerships.

‘Over the years I have shared with you my thinking about how the gospel of embrace may be felt by those who are gay,’ Jones said in an address to the Diocese of Liverpool Synod.

‘If the Church now recognizes civil partnerships to be a just response to the needs of gay people then surely the Church now has to ask the question whether or not it can deny the blessing of God to that which is just.’

Jones added that historians a hundred years from now would be astounded that the current ‘litmus test of orthodoxy centered on whether or not one had a generous attitude to those who are gay,’ – referring to the current debate over homosexuality in the church.

However Jones stopped short of endorsing church marriages for same-sex couples.

‘I believe that there is a difference between heterosexual union and same gender intimacy and that it is appropriate to maintain that difference in the language we use,’ Jones said.

Jones had been one of a number of senior Anglicans to call for the Very Rev Jeffrey John to stand aside after he was appointed to the role of Bishop of Reading in 2003.

John was openly gay and in a long term committed but celibate relationship with the Rev Grant Holmes – also an Anglican priest – and his appointment to the role sent shockwaves through the Global Anglican Communion.

However Jones, who is due to retire next year, has since apologized to John and has revised his views of LGBT issues in the church.

continue reading at Gay Star News.

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