The Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) in South Africa is drawing sharp criticisms from Christians, including Roman Catholics for its recent decision to recognise gay marriages and allow the ordination of openly homosexual ministers without requiring them to be celibate.

Christian Action Network coordinator Taryn Hodgson said the DRC's decision, approved by a 64-percent majority of the church's synod, is clearly against the teachings in the Holy Bible.

"This recent decision is further evidence the DRC [has] failed to fulfill the Great Commission — 'to make disciples of all nations, teaching obedience to all things that the Lord has commanded,'" Hodgson said, as quoted by News 24.

The Christian leader was citing Bible verses from Matthew 28:18-20.

Hodgson also said that the DRC's support for homosexual acts will not help in the mission to bring Christ closer to more people.

"Their approval of homosexual unions will further undermine their ability to reach people for Christ," he said.

Catholic Church spokesman Archbishop William Slattery agreed that the DRC's approval of gay marriages and ministers violates biblical teachings.

"We would not accept active homosexuals as priests, but no doubt there may be a priest who is an active homosexual in our church, but he is so without the bishop knowing it. As the Catholic Church, we do not accept that position of the Dutch Reformed Church," Slattery said, as quoted by The Christian Post.

DRC moderator Nelis Janse van Rensburg nevertheless defended his church's decision favouring homosexuality, saying it contributes to human dignity.

"It is historical because with this decision we actually are at a point where there can be no doubt that the Dutch Reformed Church is serious about human dignity," Rensburg said.

"And you know that we are living in this country where we have so many problems with the dignity of people," he added.

Rensburg further said that individual churches will not be forced to strictly follow and implement the decision of the DRC synod.

"Church councils and congregations are like families. They will eventually decide how they will go about it. They know the context, they know the situation, they know about the faith of these people, so they can decide on that," he explained.

Gay marriages are allowed in South Africa under the Civil Union Act enacted in November 2006, although about 80 percent of its population belong to different Christian denominations.