By Karen Breytenbach
The Dutch Reformed Church circuit in Cape Town will announce on Thursday whether it will recommend the dismissal of gay dominee Laurie Gaum, following a church investigation into Gaum's four-year monogamous relationship with a man, who later publicly accused him of promiscuity before committing suicide earlier this year.
The circuit, consisting of theologians and representatives of Dutch Reformed Churches in Cape Town, initially aimed to establish whether Gaum had acted promiscuously during his relationship with Douw Wessels, who told tabloid newspaper Die Son that Gaum had been unfaithful to him, said Dutch Reformed Church moderator of the Western and Southern Cape, Hannes Koornhof.
On Monday, however, the circuit's legal commission informed Gaum that although sufficient evidence of his alleged promiscuity could not be found, they would still decide whether his gay relationship would disqualify him as a minister.
Koornhof would not comment until the circuit report had been made public today but said long deliberation was needed because the church was "very divided" on the issue.
Gaum, who is minister at St Stephen's Church on Riebeeck Square, said on Wednesday if he were asked to step down, he would appeal to the general synod, the national governing clerical body of the church.
"I have absolute faith in the fairness and justness of the broader Dutch Reformed Church and I will not surrender to one small circuit. I know I have been called by God to be a minister and I strive to live as a responsible Christian within the gay context," said Gaum.
He did not believe his sexuality should prevent him from following Jesus Christ.
"I believe God made me in his likeness and He is satisfied with me. No commission can come between God and his plan for me," Gaum said.
"I think it is outrageous that the Dutch Reformed Church could deny any of its member their humanity and dignity, especially after it released a report in 2004, acknowledging gay members and apologising for past discrimination."
Gaum invited people who wanted to discuss homosexuality and the church to email [email protected].