London marchers confront pope in biggest protest

Pope Benedict faced the biggest protest of his 17 trips abroad today when more than 10,000 people marched in London attacking his treatment of the abuse scandal in the Church, women priests and homosexuality.

Some of the demonstrators were dressed in costumes, including black leather nuns’ habits and red cardinals’ robes. Posters bore the message: “Pope Go Home.”

Protesters hold banners during an anti-Pope protest near St Mary's University College in Twickenham ahead of the Pope's visit





The pope has faced protests throughout his four-day visit to England and Scotland, often competing for attention with the faithful who are solidly supportive of the trip, only the second by a pope in history.

The loudest and most colourful was yesterday when secularists, atheists, pro-gay groups and human rights campaigners joined forces in a Protest the Pope march from Hyde Park Corner to Downing Street, the prime minister’s residence.

It was the biggest demonstration the pope has faced during the 17 overseas trips in his five-year papacy. Organisers had expected 2,000 people.

Many opposed the Vatican’s stance on abortion, gay rights and resistance to the use of condoms in the fight against HIV-AIDS. “Keep your rosaries off our ovaries” one group chanted, with some wearing condoms on their heads.

Benedict’s apology during a Mass yesterday in which he said paedophile priests had brought “shame and humiliation” failed to appease the protesters.

Placards read: “Abstinence Makes the Church Grow Fondlers” and “Protect the Children, not the Priests”.

“Apologies will not solve the problem,” said Alice Holding, a 40-year-old protester. “He is subject to the law just like everybody else. If I did this (cover up a scandal) I would have to go to jail.”

Others said the taxpayer should not pay for the visit and criticised the pomp and ceremony.

“If Catholics want to heed his teachings that’s their choice, but the rest of us say just go away and leave us alone,” said Terry Sanderson of the National Secular Society.

A near capacity 85,000 attended prayers presided over by the pope at Hyde Park on Saturday night. Other public masses have failed to sell-out.

Eleanor Davidson, a university researcher and humanist celebrant in her 50s, said: “Christians are running scared, not just because of the force of secularism but because most people are totally indifferent to religion.”