Francfort. On Friday, October 14, 2011, representatives of Rainbow-NAC, the interest group of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual brothers and sisters in the New Apostolic Church, met again with the Committee for Special Affairs (CSA) in Frankfurt, Germany.  For the first time, District Apostle Michael Ehrich (Southern Germany) took part in the discussions. He had been appointed to the Committee to replace the retired District Apostle Hagen Wend. Since 2002, ministers and spokespersons of Rainbow-NAC have conferred regularly.

The representatives of Rainbow-NAC briefed the CSA of the first meeting of a Rainbow Delegation with District Apostle Leonard Kolb (USA) in Philadelphia in August. They also provided information about the introduction of a special concept for pastoral care in the German speaking areas (i.e. Austria and parts of Switzerland) of District Apostle Markus Fehlbaum’s area of responsibility. Further topics of the meeting were the establishment and alignment of goals and common expectations for future cooperation, as well as the issue of “individual pastoral care”.  Regarding the official statement concerning homosexuality published by the New Apostolic Church, Rainbow-NAC forcefully pointed out that the wording of the English translation was inappropriate and initiated a respective re-editing. Also, a suggested version for a future statement regarding homosexuality was submitted to the CSA. The support and pastoral care of transsexual brethren was again a key aspect of the discussions.  Additionally, Rainbow-NAC asked for a rewording of the English statement regarding transsexuality as published by the Church.

Atmosphere of respect

As in previous years, the talks between Rainbow-NAC and the CSA took place in an atmosphere of respect, openness and efforts to reach mutual compromise.

The next meeting between Rainbow-NAC and the CSA shall take place in Stuttgart, Germany, in the autumn of 2012.

Please find additional information at:  www.rainbow-nac.org.

Rainbow-NAC recently updated its informational material in German and English. The new brochure regarding homosexuality is also available at: www.rainbow-nac.org.