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	Dutch Priest, 81, Ordered to Leave 85-year-old Girlfriend or Quit Job My Fox DC November 11, 2011 http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/dutch-priest-81-ordered-to-leave-85-year-old-girlfriend-or-quit-job-ncxdc-111111 EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands - The Dutch Roman Catholic Church ordered an 81-year-old priest to leave his 85-year-old girlfriend -- who he has lived with for the past 46 years -- or quit the priesthood. Jan Peijnenburg, who lives in the central city of Eindhoven, was told by officials from the Den Bosch diocese that his relationship with Threes van Dijck was unacceptable to other clergymen. "We are giving him the choice: either he leaves his partner or he leaves the priesthood," diocese spokesman Michiel Savelsbergh told AFP. "We cannot allow him to do that which is forbidden to others." However, Peijnenburg told the Dutch newspaper AD, through a friend, that the church knew about his relationship for the past decade. The diocese said it gave the priest the ultimatum after Peijnenburg wrote a leaflet criticizing rules that forbid Roman Catholic priests from marrying, which officials said "confirmed" what they already knew about the priest's living arrangements. Peijnenburg has until Dec. 1 to make his decision, although he told AD that he would be choosing love over the priesthood. "Naturally, I choose Threes." Peijnenburg said. "We are staying together." Roman Catholic priests must remain celibate and are not allowed to marry except in cases where married priests convert from other religions.
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