04/04/2007
Archbishop Under Police Guard After Anti-gay Comments
Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa, the head of Italy’s bishops’ conference, has been placed under police guard after the facade of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo in Genoa was defaced with the words "Shame on you Bagnasco".
The vandalism was in apparent retaliation for comments Bagnasco made recently comparing gay rights to incest and pedophilia. In his comments, Bagnasco said, "Why say 'no' to forms of legally recognised co-habitation which create alternatives to the family? Why say 'no' to incest? Why say 'no' to the pedophile party in Holland?"
Catholic World News reports that "the president of the homosexual activist group Arcigay, Sergio Lo Guidice, declared 'solidarity with Bagnasco in the case of the graffiti, but even more so with the victims of the archbishop’s most offensive words on pedophilia and homosexual civil unions.'"
Bagnasco's comments were made with regard to a bill being considered in the Italian parliament that would grant a broad array of rights to same-sex couples.
Three priests in Turin, Fathers Vittorio Cristelli, Aldo Antonelli of Aquila and Beppe Scapino of Ivrea, have spoken out against the Vatican's position on same-sex civil unions, added CWN: "Father Antonelli, in a particularly acrimonious statement, said that the position taken by the Italian hierarchy demonstrates 'the Talibanization of the Church.'"
According to Reuters, "A police spokeswoman said the archbishop, who has been vocal in the Vatican’s campaign against a bill in the Italian Parliament that would grant rights to unmarried couples, including homosexuals, was being accompanied by a police escort. Last week, the bishops’ conference issued a directive ordering Catholic lawmakers to vote against the bill."
Thousands Oppose Vatican, Rally for Gay Rights in Rome [tr]
Italy Approves Draft Bill Giving Legal Status to Same-Sex Couples [tr]
Posted 12:25 PM EST by Andy Towle in Catholic Church, Gay Rights, Italy, News, Religion | Permalink
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Wow. He gets to be followed around by a hunky cop all day? Too bad he's not gay ...
Posted by: Jake | Apr 4, 2007 12:30:22 PM
I'm torn. I don't like the idea of policing speech (even speech that I find repugnant), but I do enjoy the fact that making public pronouncements that include horrible slander against the gay community is now accompanied by a pretty significant cost. I suppose that the current paradigm is that one is within their rights to make such statements, but those statements come at a price. It's about time.
Posted by: Brian | Apr 4, 2007 12:45:32 PM
Oh, and while I think spraypainting the cathedral is pretty cheap and amateurish, I'm not that bothered by it. It's temporary... it'll wash off. If they had caused more significant damage then I'd be upset, but more for the fact that these cathedrals are artistic and architectural treasures rather than because of any spiritual desecration.
Posted by: Brian | Apr 4, 2007 12:48:23 PM
I think he's still a bigot and he is responsible for the graffiti on the church because of his comments...
Posted by: alan brickman | Apr 4, 2007 1:18:42 PM
Just being sarcastic here, but you know the church is filled with pansies when they assign police guard over graffiti that says "shame on you." LOL shame on you, doesnt that strike fear into your heart!? And consider the fact that Jews and other religious groups get ACTUAL death threats on their property. Catholics are such drama queens.
Posted by: Toto | Apr 4, 2007 1:26:45 PM
Aren't all priests gay?
Further, does anyone but Catholic Kool Aid drinkers believe anything they say?
Posted by: W=Wimp | Apr 4, 2007 2:10:53 PM
Catholics are such drama queens. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!!
Religion is so amazingly stupid sometimes... and most priests are sexually repressed & sexually fucked up in the head with too much power over other people's brains (have been for centuries) and most nuns are doing each other!! It's been proven true in my life more times than I can count. So FUCK this idiot Archbishop. Man and his created religions, I swear! LOL
Posted by: Kermit | Apr 4, 2007 2:11:06 PM
The silver, well, lavender anyway, lining to this story is that Italy, that most Catholic of countries, is actually seriously considering gay civil rights including legalizing civil unions which [Memo to HRC] the US Congress has yet to do except in the context of banning/not banning them.
And three cheers to those courageous three Italian priests who have challenged the Papacy about it. I guarantee you they have been ordered to shut up. Whether or not they obey, the fact that one of them hit the proverbial nail on the head with his indictment of "the Talibanization of the Church" is magnificent.
Posted by: Leland | Apr 4, 2007 2:27:33 PM
he's an example of self hate. most of the catholic priest are gay and live a secert life. it's very sad.
Posted by: vince | Apr 4, 2007 2:47:28 PM
When will people start outing Bishops, Cardinals, and the Pope?
Posted by: W=Wimp | Apr 4, 2007 3:21:23 PM
Does everyone whose home gets vandalized or who feel threatened receive an escort from the police? why would HE get special treatment? what about all the gay people who are harassed because of attitudes like his? i'm sure they are walking around all day without guards. if he is going to go out of his way and have the audacity to make those statements, then he needs to take responsibility for his he says and suffer the consequences. and not hide behind anyone's coattails. if there is an atmosphere in the world such that it would cause him to feel the need to hide after making such a statement, perhaps that should TELL him something about what he said and the world he actually lives in. he needs to keep his mouth shut.
Posted by: Jim | Apr 4, 2007 4:20:39 PM
not every homophobe is a closet case for the millionth time i don think every racist and hater wants to fuck me ( most not all i am gorgeous)
www.myspace.com/sahambrosia
Posted by: sasha | Apr 4, 2007 5:20:49 PM
He compares gay rights to pedophelia.... so he's saying gay rights is like the Priesthood? I still don't get it.
And does anyone else think he looks like the Doctor from The Love Boat?
Posted by: mark m | Apr 5, 2007 10:15:51 AM