U.K. News
Campaigners have penned an open letter to Bob Geldof in protest at his decision to invite the Pope to support Live 8.

The National Secular Society (NSS) is pointing to the Vatican’s refusal to condone the use of condoms, saying it has helped spread HIV in Africa.

The society, which campaigns for religion to be taken out of public life, says it will create a counter-campaign of protest against any decision by Pope Benedict XVI to get involved.

NSS executive director Keith Porteous Wood said Geldof should not have written to the Pope about attending the Hyde Park event.

He said: “Inviting the Pope to Live 8 would be a slap in the face for all those currently working to stem the spread of Aids in Africa.

“Aids is destroying lives, communities and, ultimately, will destroy whole nations for generations to come unless greater efforts are made to check it.

“To invite the Pope, who has supported and reinforced this inhumane policy, to an event aimed at combating poverty through protest, verges on an obscenity. The invitation must be withdrawn immediately.”

At the launch of Live 8, singer Sir Elton John raised his concerns about the invitation, saying: “When you take into consideration their (the Catholic Church’s) views of contraception, and how this affects the spread of Aids… it adds to the general poverty of this region, doesn’t it?”

6 Responses to “Geldof condemned over Pope ‘invite’”

1. Peejz
   June 7, 2005 - 07:46 AM on June 7th, 2005

   Geldof handling the money would worry me more than who was on the guest list.

2. El Liberator
   June 8, 2005 - 07:50 AM on June 8th, 2005

   “Opposition to the Catholic Churches teachings on sexuality and contraception prove this ridiculous organization and Elton John’s ignorance, may they one day cease to be so influenced by blind foolishness in the light of all the evidence opposing the use of condoms to stem the tide of AIDS. The CDC in Atlanta has proved the inefficacy of condoms with solid research that continues to be shunned due to political pressures. Uganda, the only country in Africa to stem the tide of AIDS has embraced a view close to Catholic teachings and they cut their new AIDS rate 50% while the rest of the contracepting nations are full blown out of control. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II know this and to call them criminal in any way for their stance beholden to Christ’s teachings reveals your need to rely on truth and to let go of the counterfeits swaying people from God’s intended purpose of sexual relationships, the marriage bed of one man and one woman. May God Have Mercy On Us ALL”

3. Peejz
   June 8, 2005 - 08:03 AM on June 8th, 2005

   It was my understanding that this is a benefit for poverty as well. I was not aware that this was strictly an AIDS rally. By inviting the Pope, they are opening the door for another point of view. They very well could be slamming the door on a very big checkbook. I know that my parish as well as others within my community have yearly offering goals for the relief of hungar within Africa. This is one area where there is never a problem meeting the financial goal.

4. Redfred
   June 8, 2005 - 01:47 PM on June 8th, 2005

   How irrelivent is this story? like the pope is going to turn up at a rock concert!

5. PCD
   June 8, 2005 - 01:56 PM on June 8th, 2005

   Fred, Jesus went to the sinner’s homes. Why not the Pope?

6. Redfred
   June 8, 2005 - 02:10 PM on June 8th, 2005

   Well I must say it would give me a giggle.

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