By Gudrun Schultz
VATICAN CITY, November 10, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The gay pride parade scheduled to take place in Jerusalem today will be a “serious affront” to faithful Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Holy City and around the world, the Vatican said in a press release Wednesday.
“With regret it was learned that,…on November 10, a so-called ‘demonstration of homosexual pride’ is due to take place in Jerusalem,” the statement said.
“The Holy See expresses its intense disapproval of this initiative, because it constitutes a grave 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.”
Parade organizers were finally given permission in September to hold the homosexual celebration in the city, after intense opposition from spiritual and political leaders both within the country and internationally.
In a letter to Israel’s Foreign Ministry yesterday, the Vatican urged authorities to withdraw permission for the parade.
“The Holy See has reiterated on many occasions that the right to freedom of expression, sanctioned by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is subject to just limits, in particular when the exercise of this right would offend the religious sentiments of believers,” the letter 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.”
The Vatican referred to Catholic teaching calling for respect, compassion and sensitivity toward those with homosexual inclinations, but said the demonstration should not be permitted to take place.
“In the light of these factors and considering that on previous occasions religious values have been systematically offended, the Holy See nourishes the hope that the matter may be given due reconsideration.”
See updated story on this issue:
Last-Minute Cancellation of Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade a “Victory” for Orthodox Jews
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/nov/06111004.html
See related LifeSiteNews coverage:
Thousands of Orthodox Jews Protest Gay Pride – Signs: “J’lem is not Sodom or New York”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/oct/06102002.html
Jerusalem Loses Battle to Ban Gay Pride Parade—Court-Ordered Date Set for November 10
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/sep/06091904.html