Cardinal Barbarin
In yet another assault on the Pope before a French church, approximately sixty members of homosexual organizations rallied at the steps of the Fourviere Basilica in Lyon this morning to "denounce the irresponsibility of Pope Benedict XVI regarding AIDS."
While the faithful filed into the church for Sunday Mass offered by their archbishop, Philippe Cardinal Barbarin, protestors representing Lesbian and Gay Pride, the Gay and Lesbian Forum, and AIDS Rhône unfurled a banner reading “The condom is life - The Church prohibits it” while chanting, “No to the callote (zucchetto), long live the capote (condom)”.
Meanwhile, in front of the Basilica, about sixty Catholic parents and children, gathered in support of the Holy Father, wearing stickers that read “Hands off my Pope”.
"There is a painful lack of understanding" complained Cardinal Barbarin. "The issue of condoms is a taboo subject and we must create conditions for a dialogue in mutual respect.” He continued, "We must listen to all of the cries because they come from the heart, but that does not create the conditions for dialogue."
When asked whether he advocated "the capote" or "abstinence", the Cardinal replied: "I am for Love."
After the Mass, His Eminence invited a delegation of seven protestors to the archdiocese for a "respectful dialogue", "in a cordial and relaxed atmosphere" according to a source close to the archdiocese.
Details gleaned from La Croix
