Michele de Klerk — a divorced, gay, Catholic mother speaks

Michele de Klerk served as a full-time paid lay youth coordinator at her parish in Johannesburg, South Africa. In 2017, she was finally able to recognise, admit and confront the truth that she is gay.

The journey towards accepting her sexuality — as a Catholic, divorcee and mother — has been a struggle. It leaves her wrestling with God and the Church, asking whether God accepts and loves her as divorced, gay and a mother. Among those whom she looks to for comfort are priests with whom she is close, some accept and love her as a gay woman; others only seem to add to the burdens she carries.

Michele talks to Russell Pollitt SJ about being a gay Catholic and her love for Catholicism.