Melanie Nathan | Oblogdeeoblogda | May 19, 2013.
Rev. Ecclesia de Lange and Melanie Nathan, Cape Town pride 2011
In 2010 when Rev de Lange announced to her congregation that she was going to marry her same-sex partner, her congregants jumped up and applauded, in what she describes in the video below as a joyful moment. But unfortunately the powers that be in the Church where she served, were not willing to share in the jubilation.
Rev. de Lange was found “guilty” – suspended-fired and charged by the Church with being:
“in breach of the Laws and Discipline and/or policies, decisions, practices and usages of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, when she announced to the Brackenfell and Windsor Park Societies her intention to enter into a same-sex civil union with her partner, as it was the Church’s policy, practice and usage to recognize only heterosexual marriage.”
While finally Rev de Lange faces the opportunity to be heard in the courts, hers is a case that exemplifies the notion that “justice delayed is justice denied.” After all she has been through and for so long, it is now up to the courts to decide how Eccelesia de Lange will find reparation for what she has been put through over these past years, while the Church subjected her not only to the harsh and emotional realities of discrimination, but also to an array of uncertain rules that served only to exacerbate the prejudice and her personal suffering.
Finally the Western Cape High Court in South Africa will hear the case of Rev Ecclesia de Lange against the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) and it could prove to be landmark.
Daily Queer News 