Pilgrims at Pope’s mass to be given condoms

CATHOLICS attending a Mass by Pope Benedict XVI in Australia will be handed condoms by protesters angered by his opposition to contraception, homosexuality and abortion.

The protest will be staged by the NoToPope Coalition of Christians, atheists and gay groups during Catholic World Youth Day, celebrations expected to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Sydney next month.

“We will hand out condoms to the pilgrims, the Catholic youth,” spokeswoman Rachel Evans told a news conference.

“[We will] say to them, ‘Take up the campaign within the Catholic church to allow the Catholic church to promote condoms’,” she said.

She said the Pope’s anti-condom policy has condemned millions to contracting HIV.

The demonstration will also protest the Pope’s stance against homosexuality and abortion, she said, describing the pontiff as “a bigot” over same-sex relationships.

A pastor from Sydney’s Metropolitan Community Church, Karl Hand, said the Pope was misrepresenting Christian views.

The coalition includes the Metropolitan Community Church, Atheists Sydney, Community Action Against Homophobia and the Socialist Alliance, among others, the statement said.