A loose conglomerate of anti-Catholic groups has formally launched the NoToPope Coalition in Sydney today, in protest against next month’s World Youth Day.
A group ranging from gay rights activists to Raelians assembled on the steps of St Mary's Cathedral House to protest against the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI and 120,000 Catholics next month.
The NoToPope Coalition says the Catholic Church should be condemned - and not subsidised – for its stance on gay rights and AIDS prevention in Africa, among other issues.
“The Catholic Church throughout all the ages has held back humanity with their so-called ethics and morals,” said Eden Bates of the Raelian Movement, a religious group that believes in the significance of UFOs to spirituality.
“It wasn’t that long ago that they said women couldn’t vote, and women didn’t even have a soul! It wasn’t that long ago, can you imagine? And these days they’re saying being gay is a disease.”
Rachel Evans, a gay rights activist, says the group is worried the NSW Government’s support of World Youth Day indicates and encourages support of Catholic ideology.
“The ideas of the Cathloic Church and their bigotry in relation to same sex couples, that gives confidence to governments like the Australian government to continue with their campaign of banning same sex marriage and civil unions with ceremonies,” she told LIVENEWS.com.au.
“So we’re not happy that he’s here and we’re also not happy that we’re having to spend $130 million of taxpayers’ money on this as well.”
Video: Yasmin Bright