GALHA (The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association) led a demonstration outside the Labour Party Conference today (Wednesday) in protest at Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s plans to invite Pope Benedict on a state visit to Britain.

Since GALHA announced its plans for the demonstration, its members have noted growing anger and concern about the visit from many communities, including Catholics who are angry at many recent statements and edicts from the Vatican.

GALHA’s secretary, David Christmas, said;
"Brown has gravely underestimated the strength of feeling about this visit.

"As a European citizen and leader of a religious group with a significant following in the UK, the Pope is of course welcome to visit Britain, provided that he obeys our laws.

"However, the idea that he should be feted and lauded as some kind of hero is a direct insult to all of those people whose lives have been blighted by his extreme doctrinal positions.

"It also beggars belief, that at a time of great financial hardship for millions of ordinary people, Gordon Brown should even be contemplating a costly state-funded jamboree in honour of a man whose statements and actions are often so pernicious."

"In particular, most of the rights that gay people have gained in Britain have been secured in the teeth of opposition from the Vatican.

"The Church that claims that sex should be part of a loving and committed relationship has bitterly opposed any recognition of such relationships between gay people. Gay couples offering to devote themselves to bringing up children have been snubbed. The message, perversely, is that love and commitment count for nothing if you happen to be gay."

GALHA has long noted with concern the Pope's role in promoting doctrinaire positions which often have deeply harmful consequences.

These include:

* Resistance to the distribution of condoms as a means of reducing the spread of AIDS, in the teeth of scientific evidence.

* Opposition to all forms of effective birth control, even where parents and societies are unable to make adequate provision for children.

* Denying even the most vulnerable women the right to a legal abortion as the 'lesser evil'.

* Relentless opposition to gay rights, including any recognition of gay partnerships.

* Support for maintaining segregated education for Catholics and other religious groups, contributing to social division.

* Failure adequately to address and make amends for the many documented cases of abuse committed by Catholic priests around the world.

Pictured local Brighton activists make their point outside the Brighton Centre.

For more information view:
www.galha.org/details-of-demo-against-papal-visit-30th-september