Along with pilgrims, protesters associated with the Initiative Inakost will also be waiting in Banska Bystrica for the Pope, who will visit Slovakia between September 11 and 14.
The gay rights activists plan to start their campaign called "No to turning Slovakia clerical" and want to express their dislike of the gradual "infiltration of clerical power" into politics and social life, the daily SME reported.
However, Catholic Church officials oppose the planed protest, calling it inapt. "Opinions can be expressed in a different way," Chairman of the Conference of Slovak Bishops František Tondra told the daily.
"The Catholic Church is not against homosexuals but against practising homosexuality," Tondra stressed.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
10. Sep 2003 at 15:18
