Note #8925 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:
 

05506 Sept. 23, 2005

Scandal involving gay pastor drives wedge in South African church

by Donwald Pressly Ecumenical News International

CAPE TOWN - The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, once considered apartheid's "National Party at prayer," has been gripped by a bitter battle over whether it can accommodate an openly gay pastor who had a long-term relationship with a man.

The pastor, Laurie Gaum, who comes from a prominent family involved in church and politics, has been dismissed as presiding minister of St Stephen's church, once an institution for freed slaves in the center of South Africa's parliamentary capital, Cape Town.

The news of Gaum's homosexuality broke in April when a tabloid newspaper published a picture of the pastor - naked - frolicking in sea surf.

In the newspaper story, Gaum's gay partner, who by then had ended the relationship, accused him of being promiscuous. A short while later, the partner, Douw Wessels, committed suicide.

The revelation has divided the Western Cape's once deeply conservative Afrikaner community. A flurry of letters to the local newspaper, Die Burger, and heated discussions during church gatherings have shown impassioned support for, and opposition to, his dismissal.

Those who support dismissal contend that the Bible makes clear that the practice of homosexuality is a sin.

Gaum is the son of Frits Gaum, a former editor of Die Kerkbode, the official newspaper of the church. His brother, Andre, was the last remaining member of parliament from the New National Party, formerly the National Party. Andre Gaum has now joined the ruling African National Congress, and he is also acting as his brother's lawyer.

Laurie Gaum, a graduate of the prestigious Afrikaans university, Stellenbosch, told "Carte Blanche," a South African television program: "I think I've been created gay in the image of God. And this is the church that I am also part of; this is a church where I have as much right to be safe as other people, and I claim this gospel for myself."

The church commission found that Gaum had a gay relationship, but said it had found no evidence of promiscuity.

Gaum has until the end of September to appeal his suspension to a regional synod of the Dutch Reformed Church.