USA: WOMEN'S AND GAY RIGHTS GROUPS PROTEST POPE JOHN PAUL II VISIT

(7 Oct 1995) English/Nat

Women's and gay rights groups took to the streets of New York Saturday, to protest about the Pope's visit to the United States.

They are unhappy with his views on issues like abortion, women in the clergy and homosexuality.

This was a different sort of crowd from the thousands of well-wishers who have flocked to see the Pope on his five day visit to the United States.

Women's and gay rights groups took to the streets of New York to show the Pope that not Catholics were pleased with the messages he was giving to the modern flock.

They were particularly upset with the Vatican's stand on several key issues.

During his trip, the Pontiff has reiterated his opposition to abortion which is legal in some parts of the United States.

These groups are also against the Pope's stand on keeping women out of the clergy as well as his anti-homosexual views.

They say the Pope is free to feel how he wants but must realise that not all Catholics agree.

SOUNDBITE:
"He's free to say his views but he's not free to use the entire power of the tax exempt church to try to force those views on other people."
SUPER CAPTION: Anti-Pope Protestor

This protestor believed keeping women out of the clergy was denying their desire to spread the faith.

SOUNDBITE:
"This Pope has the hot line to heaven but having been a good catholic girl and been educated by all the nuns and all the priests, I know that in fact, unleashing the desire and potential of women to become priests, to become bishops, to become cardinals and to become the Pope would in fact improve the crisis in the world today."
SUPER CAPTION: Anti-Pope Protestor

For others, the ban on all forms of contraception by the Vatican was seen as unrealistic in today's world.

SOUNDBITE:
"We want the Pope to recognise the need for condoms, we want the Pope to recognise that we have the right to choose. God created us, we have a mind and a body and we have the right to decide what we're going to do with it."
SUPER CAPTION: Anti-Pope Protestor

There was anger at being alienated from the religion many of them grew up with but no longer felt a part of.

SOUNDBITE:
"I have the message for him to keep his religion and to watch out for his own soul."
SUPER CAPTION: Anti-Pope Protestor

The Pope leaves America on Sunday, and for these protestors, his visit has left many questions about the directions of Church doctrine unsatisfactorily answered.

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