Gay Sticker: Not for All Churches
It’s a kind of Michelin guide for gay people who want a church wedding. Same-sex marriage may be accepted by Dutch legislation, but it's not accepted by the majority of Dutch churches. Coming Out Churches, Dutch Edition gives an overview of those churches that are open to same-sex marriages.
In the closet
The guide devotes a separate chapter to the Roman Catholic Church under the heading, Still in the closet.
The Catholic Church does not recognise same-sex marriage, but Mr Mikkers says it goes on unofficially on a small scale.
A number of priests and monastic communities are willing to perform same-sex marriages, and ceremonies do take place occasionally.
I have been in touch with parishes where it’s happened, but they did not want to be listed in the guide – they didn’t want to come out of the closet.
I don’t expect the Roman Catholic Church to change any time soon, the leadership is not moving at all at present, the Pope and bishops are dead against it.
But it’s amusing to note that the faithful are a long way away from where the leadership wants them to be.
The full article can be read at Radio Netherlands Worldwide.
