Resistance to the pope

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By Elisabetta Povoledo International Herald Tribune

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2006


MILAN Protesting what they see as the growing interference of the Roman Catholic Church in domestic politics, tens of thousands of Italians took to the streets here over the weekend in support of abortion rights, while demonstrators in Rome gathered to endorse the legalization of same-sex unions.

In Milan, protesters chanted slogans against Silvio Berlusconi's government, which they accuse of planning, with the support of the church, to undo a 1978 law that makes abortion legal during the first three months of pregnancy.

Meeting with Italian politicians last week, Pope Benedict XVI repeated his opposition to gay unions and to the abortion pill, RU-486, which he said hid the "gravity" of taking human life.

"The Vatican is free to express an opinion, but Italy must remain a lay state and the government can't become a megaphone for the church just to get the Catholic vote," Anna Annunziata, a regional counselor from Tuscany with the Democrats of the Left, the nation's largest leftist party, said as she marched Saturday in Milan.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/01/15/news/italy.php

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1. I Wondered Yesterday if there would Be a Schizm

in the Catholic Church. I heard on AAR yesterday, that many people within the Catholic Church are beginning to rebel against this popes rightward policies. I hope so...

It appears the righties are pushing on every front possible. This is one that is very important. Faith can be a terrible weapon when in the hands of bad people.