Church rejects Gilmore’s criticism

LEADING Catholic Church members have hit back at comments by Labour leader Eamon Gilmore that the Pope’s views on gay rights help fuel homophobia.

The Irish Bishops’ Conference has branded the Labour leader’s remarks as “offensive”.

The row was sparked after Mr Gilmore called for the Pope to “temper” his remarks on gays and lesbians, stating: “We have many examples of where there is not only discrimination against gay people but there has been nasty homophobic bullying and assaults on gay people and I think opinions like that give comfort to that.”