91 DISMAY AT POPE'S SWIPE AT RULES ON EQUALITY.
Byline: Sam DimmerA GROUP which works with gay men in Coventry says it is disappointed following Pope Benedict's controversial comments attacking equality legislation in Britain for running contrary to "natural law".
The comments, made after the Pontiff confirmed he would visit the UK later this year, have been interpreted as an attack on sexual orientation regulations which forced Catholic adoption agencies to consider gay couples as potential adoptive parents. Pope Benedict is being tipped to round off his trip to Britain at Coventry Airport on either September 12 or 19.
Speaking in front of the Catholic bishops of England and Wales in Rome, the Pope said: "Your country is wellknown for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society.
"Yet, as you have rightly pointed out, the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs.
"In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed."
His comments have led to widespread criticism and the regional manager for the Terrence Higgins Trust, Jane Morel, said they set a dangerous precedent.
"For those who have already made their minds up and are bigoted it makes little difference," she said.
"But those who are undecided and don't have a particular view will see it as a dangerous comment.
"To say equality legislation is contrary to natural law - where is that going to lead? "I think there will be many Catholics who would want a more inclusive church and this sort of statement will disappoint them because they have family or friends who are gay.
"In Coventry we run a support group for young gay, lesbian and bisexual people and statements like that could have a serious impact on them."
Nationwide the Pontiff's comments have sparked fury with a variety of groups describing them as "appalling", "unacceptable" and "ill-informed".
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| Publication: | Coventry Evening Telegraph (England) |
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| Date: | Feb 3, 2010 |
| Words: | 343 |
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