Vatican (Archive photo_
Vatican to Israel: Ban gay parade
Says ‘march in city considered holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians would offend faithful’
The Vatican on Wednesday asked Israel to ban a gay parade this
week in Jerusalem, saying the march in the city considered holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians would offend the faithful.
Thousands of gay activists are expected to march in Jerusalem on Friday.
Pride Dispute
Aviram Zino
Justice Procaccia rebukes protestors against Jerusalem gay pride march: 'Court, police won't surrender to violence.' Meanwhile, attorney’s office informs High Court that heightened security alert nationwide may lead police to recommend cancelation of parade
“The Holy See has reiterated on many occasions that the right to freedom of expression ... Is subject to just limits, in particular when the exercise of this right would offend the religious sentiments of believers,” the Vatican said.
“It is clear that the gay parade scheduled to take place in Jerusalem will prove offensive to the great majority of Jews, Muslims and Christians, given the sacred character of the city of Jerusalem,” it said.
The Vatican said it had asked its envoy to Israel to convey its regret over the planned demonstration to Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
The Vatican also expressed hope the decision might be “Reconsidered, as a mark of respect for the religious sentiments of all those who venerate the Holy City.” Vatican teaching holds that homosexuals are “Intrinsically disordered.”
The church, however, says gays and lesbians should be treated with compassion and dignity. In 2000, the Vatican bitterly denounced a gay pride festival in Rome as an “Insult” to Christians.
