CHURCH MAY APPEAL GAY LECTURER RULING

The Council of the Moreleta Park Dutch Reformed Church will meet next week Tuesday to decide whether to appeal the court judgment against its firing of a gay music lecturer because of his sexuality.

The Pretoria High Court last week found the church guilty of discriminating against Johan Strydom and ordered it to pay damages to him and to issue an unconditional apology.

Speaking to the Pretoria News, Dominie Dirkie van der Spuy said that meeting had been called “… so that we can decide the way forward. We will discuss the legal grounds for a possible appeal as well as how to handle the apology.”

The church’s legal counsel is expected to present a recommendation to the council on whether or not to appeal the ruling.

Van der Spuy said one of the issues that would be looked at was the judge’s finding that Strydom was employed as a music teacher and not as a spiritual leader; a position which the church rejects.

He added that, “Our love and care for people does not make it difficult for us to apologise, but when it comes to our beliefs as set out in the Bible, we cannot make concessions.”

Strydom, who was awarded almost R87,000 in damages, said that he had not yet received an apology.