Brazilian singer blasts Vatican in condom dispute

[emad]

By Angus MacSwan

SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazilian singer Daniela Mercury, who was banned from performing in a Vatican Christmas concert, said on Monday she was outraged at a Vatican claim that she had threatened to promote condom use during the show.

"I am surprised and outraged with the declarations made by the Vatican's representative," Mercury, one of Brazil's biggest musical stars, said in a statement.

"I never stated that I would advocate the use of condoms at the Vatican's Christmas concert."

The dispute has shot back and forth across the Atlantic since Mercury first said her offer to take part in the show had been withdrawn. She said last month the Vatican had excluded her because she took part in a campaign promoting the use of condoms to fight AIDS.
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=2005-12-05T195414Z_01_DIT571610_RTRUKOC_0_UK-VATICAN-CONDOMS.xml&archived=False

[joeybee12]

1. Go girl! Yup, can't advocate anything that might save a life!