Vatican calls scheduled gay pride parade in Jerusalem offensive

Published: 2006-11-08

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Allowing a gay pride parade to take place in Jerusalem is a "serious affront" to Jews, Christians and Muslims who believe the city has a sacred character, the Vatican said. The Vatican press office released a statement Nov. 8 expressing its opposition to the parade, which was scheduled for Nov. 10 and which had been preceded by more than a week of demonstrations and riots by ultra-Orthodox Jews. Gay pride organizers have secured official permits for the parade and for a rally afterward. The Vatican statement said it affirmed church teaching calling for "respect, compassion and sensitivity" toward those with homosexual inclinations, but said it was disappointed permission had been given for the parade to take place. "The Holy See expresses its deep disapproval of the initiative because it constitutes a serious affront to the feelings of millions of Jewish, Muslim and Christian believers who recognize the special sacred character of the city of Jerusalem and ask that their convictions be respected," the statement said.

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