Gay rights groups are disappointed

BRITISH gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: “The election of Cardinal Ratzinger as the new Pope is a disaster for women, gay people and liberal humanitarian values.

“He represents the hardline, fundamentalist strand of Catholicism, opposing condoms to prevent the spread of HIV, rejecting women’s rights, denouncing fertility treatment for childless couples and endorsing state-sanctioned discrimination against gay people.

“Cardinal Ratzinger has always put Church dogma before the Christian values of love and compassion.