The huge rainbow flag of more than 20 meters that adorned the tower of the Grote Kerk in Monnickendam was stolen after just one day. The flag was there in honor of the Love Love concert that took place in the church on Sunday evening. The love concert is a response to the rejection of the Christian band InSalvation to perform in the church because the pastor is married to a man.
Pastor Alexander Noordijk of the Protestant Church in Monnickendam has no idea why the flag was stolen. “What do you do with a 21-meter lap?” He’s afraid it’s not a prank call. “With the tolerance of the LGBT people you see that things are getting worse rather than better.” The flag that is now gone was borrowed from the Protestant Church in Amsterdam.
Daniël Roukema from Nijkerkerveen, who organized the concert to encourage the pastor, also speaks of the theft. “You’re not doing that.” He does see it as an extra reason to fight even more for the acceptance of LGBTI people within the church. “I think it’s terrible that it happened but I’m strengthened to continue the fight.”
Welcome
Several hundred people had come to the love concert. Of all ages and denominations. A man from Amsterdam said, “I’m Catholic myself, but I think everyone should be welcome in the church. It doesn’t matter what religion or orientation you have.”