All homosexuals can now attend communion in all parishes in the diocese of Den Bosch.This is the outcome of a meeting between the church council of the main Roman Catholic church in the Netherlands, Saint Jan's in Den Bosch, priest Geertjan Van Rossum, Vera Bergkamp of the COC gay organisation and editor-in-chief of the newspaper Gaykrant.
"People should decide for themselves whether or not to attend communion whatever their sexuality and should do so with a clean conscience," said a spokesperson for the diocese.
As a result, the openly gay Carnival prince who was refused communion in the Brabant provincial town of Reusel should also receive communion.The church's refusal to give him communion sparked off protests at Roman Catholic church services up and down the Netherlands on Sunday.
During the protest, gay rights demonstrators dressed in pink with pink wigs walked out of the service at Saint Jan's after priest Geertjan van Rossum said "the correct experience of sexuality is part of the ten commandments".
Gay organisation COC and the Friends of Gaykrant are pleased with the "reconciliatory words" from the church council. Ms Bergkamp says, "The discussion has been initiated. The church council has indicated it wants a long-term contact."
The church council has called on demonstrators not to protest in church by wearing pink triangles or calling out slogans.
The gay organisations have decided not to continue their protests on Sunday at communion.
They hope their supporters will follow suit. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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