Vic: Angry gay protesters converge on Archbishop Pell

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2001
Vic: Angry gay protesters converge on Archbishop Pell

MELBOURNE, April 15 AAP - Angry gay rights activists hung nooses outside Melbourne's
St Patrick's Cathedral today and chanted for Catholic Archbishop George Pell to "go to
hell" as he greeted Easter churchgoers.

Tight security barred the group of about 40 protesters from the Queer group from entering
church grounds, but angry exchanges broke out as the congregation tried to leave the city's
main Catholic Easter service.

Throughout much of the demonstration during which protesters hung rope nooses on the
church fence, Dr Pell stood at the cathedral steps with his back to the rally as he greeted
members of the congregation.

On two occasions, churchgoers tried to counter the noisy protest by calling for three
cheers for the Archbishop, but they were quickly drowned out by chants such as "not the
church, not the state, queers must decide their fate" and "George Pell, go to hell".

Dr Pell has been outspoken against the gay community and has, on several occasions,
refused to administer communion to gay activists.

On one occasion, after a group of gay activists unsuccessfully tried to receive communion
from the Archbishop, he described homosexual activity as a much greater health risk than
smoking.

He did not speak to the media on the issue today.

Armed with a megaphone, Queer spokesman Jonathan Wilkinson voiced a list of gay rights demands.

"I'm a concerned student and a concerned citizen of Australia," he said. "The sort
of thing that George Pell says over the years fosters homophobia... it is about time it
stopped."

Mr Wilkinson demanded Dr Pell recognise that homosexuality was "real, legitimate and
it is here to stay".

He also demanded the Catholic Church recognise it was not homosexuality that brought
suffering: "It is bigotry that causes suffering".

As one female churchgoer left today's service, she loudly and angrily told a protest
organiser, "you should be ashamed of yourself".

"You're homophobic," he screamed back.

AAP gfr/cdh/sb

KEYWORD: PELL QUEER (CARRIED EARLIER) PIC AVAILABLE

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