A coalition of Croatian human rights groups is preparing an unorthodox welcome for Pope Benedict XVI, akin to the controversial ones he received on his recent visits to Great Britain and Spain.
After massive protests in Britain and hundreds of gay couples kissing in front of the Church of the Sacred Family in Barcelona greeted the papal visit to those countries, Croatian activists are gearing up for similar demonstrations.
The members of Coalition for Secularism that encompasses 24 non-government organizations will be protesting against the expenses of the visit in this time of crisis as well as some of the Pope’s positions which they see as detrimental to human rights.
According to the activists, these include his opposition to contraception, negative attitude towards the ordination of women, the spreading of discrimination toward members of the homosexual community, whitewashing the paedophilia scandals within the Church and adamant opposition to abortion even in cases of rape.
The Pope is expected to come to Croatia during the first half of 2011. The state will spend around six million Euros in preparation for the visit.
The details of the protest have not yet been set, but some associations like Zagreb Pride say that they will be visible, entertaining but also dignified, the daily Jutarnji List reports.
"Maybe it would be stupid to copy the Spaniards, but we could do some."
After massive protests in Britain and hundreds of gay couples kissing in front of the Church of the Sacred Family in Barcelona greeted the papal visit to those countries, Croatian activists are gearing up for similar demonstrations.
The members of Coalition for Secularism that encompasses 24 non-government organizations will be protesting against the expenses of the visit in this time of crisis as well as some of the Pope’s positions which they see as detrimental to human rights.
According to the activists, these include his opposition to contraception, negative attitude towards the ordination of women, the spreading of discrimination toward members of the homosexual community, whitewashing the paedophilia scandals within the Church and adamant opposition to abortion even in cases of rape.
The Pope is expected to come to Croatia during the first half of 2011. The state will spend around six million Euros in preparation for the visit.
The details of the protest have not yet been set, but some associations like Zagreb Pride say that they will be visible, entertaining but also dignified, the daily Jutarnji List reports.
"Maybe it would be stupid to copy the Spaniards, but we could do some."
SIC: CT/INT'L
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