A coalition of groups – including
atheist and gay groups – rallied in Sydney, Australia against Pope
Benedict XVI on Saturday. The NoToPope Coalition says Pope Benedict
XVI's stand against homosexuality makes him “chief homophobe.”
The group also believes the pope's views on abortion and
contraception are unacceptable.
The pontiff was in Australia for World
Youth Day and plans to hold a mass for pilgrims on Sunday.
After an hourlong rally at Taylor
Square listening to speeches by activist, some 500 protesters
followed a mock popemobile along the Mardi Gras parade route to Moore
Park. A large banner near the head of the procession read “The
pope is wrong, put a condom on.” Some demonstrators dressed as
nuns, others as priests, many wore tshirts emblazoned with anti-pope
slogans. One read “Bless me father for I am homo,” and another
featured an image of the pope with the slogan “Chief homophobe.”
“The pope's relentless anti-gay
doctrinal approach has seen him declare gay men and lesbians as moral
threats to society. He campaigns to repeal same-sex marriage in
countries who have adopted it and has banned gay priests,” said
NoToPope Coalition spokesperson Kristian Bolwell in a statement.
The protesters also take offense to the
pope's position on contraception. They believe his opposition to
condoms has fueled an increasing HIV infection rate, especially in
African countries. The coalition hopes to pass out 6000 condoms
during the Catholic festival.
Earlier in the week, the coalition was
facing a serious threat to their plans as a new ordinance banned
anyone from “annoying” the pilgrims. However, a federal court
agreed with the protesters' right to free speech, striking down the
ban.
“We want to make it clear that we are
not anti-religious, and we welcome the Catholic youth to our
country,” coalition leader Rachel Evans told the Associated
Press. “Our gripe is with Pope Benedict and the hierarchy of
the church.”