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Loading ...Gays under surveillance as Pope arrives in France
09.12.2008 1:03pm EDT
(Paris) Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Paris Friday to start a four day visit to France amid continuing reports police are spying on gay, HIV/AIDS and other groups critical of the Vatican.
Benedict was greeted at Orly airport by conservative French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.The pope urged France to take Christianity into account despite its secular tradition, saying that church and state should be open to each other.
“The presence of Christian values is fundamental for the survival of our nations and our societies,” Benedict told reporters on the flight to Paris.
The Pope’s visit is expected to meet with demonstrations.
Last week the daily Le Figaro newspaper reported that French police were spying on LGBT, HIV/AIDS groups and other critics of the Pope’s views, to determine what plans were being made for protests.
Among the groups under surveillance, according to the newspaper, are ACT-UP, an outspoken critic of the Vatican’s refusal to accept condoms as a means of preventing HIV/AIDS, and LGBT groups which oppose Rome’s position on gay marriage and civil unions.
French authorities, Le Figaro reported, are anxious to avoid a repeat of the condom shower that greeted the Pope in Sydney, Australia, in July.
The Vatican believes abstinence, not condoms, is most effective in preventing HIV/AIDS. Last year, it issued a statement calling condoms risky and unsafe.
The pope also has been a harsh critic of same-sex unions, most recently blasting the California Supreme Court for striking down that state’s ban on gay marriage. In April, gay Catholics and other LGBT groups demonstrated against the papal marriage stand during Benedict’s visit to the US.
Le Figaro said the surveillance was being conducted by France’s anti-terror squad, which also is keeping an eye on suspected al-Qaeda sympathizers.
During his visit to France Benedict will meet with Jewish and Islamic leaders.
“During his visit to France Benedict will meet with Jewish and Islamic leaders.” — and given how open and ‘loving’ the fundies of these two other religions are, I’m sure de Furher….I mean Pope, will feel right at home.
As for France spying on gay groups, well, sadly some of the groups have threatened violence and thus the close quarter observances. Truth be told, let them spy, let them see the truth and let the Pope witness how his fear, his denial of human truth, his folly leads to this kind of gestapo tactic…..then again, given his upbringing as a child….
Italy has as long as I can remember been the least democratic and law abiding EU State. Basically they do what they like. Their president has changed the law so he can’t face criminal prosecution!!
I’m sure there is an EU directive against this sort of thing and we’ll probably get to hear about it soon (though don’t hold your breath for the toothless tiger).
I used to work for a UK shipping company and we always had to add “import taxes” to Italian shipments despite there being no duties payable with moving goods or people throughout the EU.
That country makes the Sopranos look like Sponge Bob.
My last comment was directed at the Italian censorship story.
Sorry.
you would think if governments spied on the catholic church in the past 80 years as much as they have on lgbt groups,they would have found out about the priest sex scandal decades ago. shame on all.
I find it funny, that someone would
find the need to watch gays/lesbians/bisexuals,
and not straight people.
Do like watching it or something?
Seems a little odd to me. Most say that the more scared of homosexuality, the more you are either ashamed of your own, or you are not sure of your own. If you don’t like it, or dont approve, then why watch?