The Dutch Reformed Church (DRC), or NG Kerk has formally reversed its lauded vote last year to allow the recognition of same-sex unions.

At an extraordinary meeting of the General Synod this week, the DRC decided to no longer accept same-sex relationships, even if they are legal civil unions.

In a statement, the church proclaimed that “marriage was instituted by God as a sacred and lifelong union between one man and one woman and that any sexual intercourse outside such a solid formal marital relationship does not meet Christian guidelines”.

The latest decision in effect repeals the General Synod’s landmark October 2015 vote to let individual church councils recognise and bless same-sex relationships.

Since that decision last year, the DRC has consistently refused to implement the vote, despite threats of legal action from a group of LGBT and LGBT-affirming theologians and a former human rights commissioner.

Laurie Gaum, the spokesperson for the group, described the latest move as “disappointing, disgusting, regressive and tragic”. He explained that, “this takes the church backward nine years or so”. Read more via MambaOnline