Peter Tatchell: Why I will protest at Pope’s ‘harsh, intolerant views’

Published: 16 September, 2010
by DAN CARRIER

HUMAN rights campaigner Peter Tatchell visited Camden School for Girls on Friday – and told sixth-formers why he would take to the streets to protest against Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to London.

Speaking to more than 100 students, Mr Tatchell outlined why he believed it was wrong for the taxpayer to foot a £12million bill for the four-day visit to Britain by the head of the Catholic Church. 

Mr Tatchell is helping spearhead a protest at Hyde Park Corner at 1.30pm on Saturday.

He told the students: “Pope Benedict has every right to come here and express his opinions. But we also have a right to protest against his often harsh, intolerant views.

“The Protest the Pope campaign objects to his visit being funded by the taxpayer. Much of his itinerary involves religious and spiritual events. It is not appropriate that these are paid for by the public. 

“We don’t fund visits by the Grand Mufti of Mecca or the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. Why should the Pope’s visit get privileged financial support?”

He claimed many people believed the Pope’s stance on human rights issues was offensive. 

“Pope Benedict opposes women’s ordination,” he added. “Women are deemed unfit to be priests. This is an insult to the whole female sex. The implication is women have no moral capability or capacity for spiritual leadership as clergy. This is pure patriarchy, sexism and misogyny.”

He attacked the Pope’s stance on birth control and sexually transmitted diseases. Mr Tatchell said: “The Pope says artificial contraception is a sin. Benedict XVI has denounced the use of condoms, even to stop the spread of HIV. 

“He has also claimed that condom usage may ‘increase’ the rate of HIV infection. His dishonest teachings discourage a proven way to reduce HIV transmission, thereby putting millions of lives at risk.”

And he outlined the Pope’s track record on gay rights. “When he was Cardinal, he authored a Vatican document that condemned homosexuality as an ‘objective disorder’ and the mere fact of being gay as a ‘strong tendency ordered towards an intrinsic moral evil’,” he said.

Student Orlando Edmonds, who is studying English, music and maths A-levels, said he  would now be attending protests against the visit. He said of Mr Tatchell’s talk: “It was enjoyable and informative, although he was on safe ground – a liberal, north London school. He is often criticised for speaking out against the Pope in an uncontrolled way but he was respectful in his conduct and had an air of authority.”

Mr Tatchell, who stepped down as a Green Party candidate in Oxford before this year’s general election due to ill health, blamed head injuries caused by “thugs” accompanying Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on a visit to Russia.