Editor Reports: Pope State Visit Shouldn’t Go Ahead

It is very rarely that ATV Reports delves into the murky world of politics and even rarer that I discuss religion. Today though the two are combined as editor Doug Lambert argues that the Pope’s State visit to the UK shouldn’t happen.

There have been many high profile politicians, actors, religious leaders and scientists who have spoken about the issue. While most politicians have spoken in favour of the visit the majority of people so far have been against it. Various reasons have been given for and against the state visit by Pope Benedict XVI – the politicians argue its important that the Pope, who is not only head of the Catholic Church but also a Head of State (the Vatican) visit the UK. They argue that its a prestigious occasion and will a welcome opportunity for faiths to come together for the visit.

The arguments against the Pope’s visit are more varied and complicated. The most commonly held argument about the Pope’s visit – in simple terms – is the costs involved. At a time when the Government is slashing budgets across the board and we’re being warned about cuts to services it is hard to accept millions and millions of pounds being spent on such a state visit – especially when it seems the majority of the public neither want the Pope here or even care about such a visit.

The other arguments against the Pope are more emotional; the Churches’ coverage of child abuse for one. The scandals surrounding such cover ups and continuing revelations about such abuse threaten the stability of the Catholic church itself. However, the allegations that the Pope may have helped cover up some cases is also deeply damaging. The Pope’s outspoken and homophobic views on sexuality are another valid reason for not allowing a state visit. The Pope continues to speak out against homosexuality at a time when many Western Powers are becoming more liberal in terms of laws and there is a growing demand for equality.

The Pope’s words and homophobic views hark back to the dark days when being gay was punishable by death or classed a mental illness. Such views have no place in modern society and we should not given such a platform to man who spouts such dangerous rubbish. He has called gays a threaten to the survival of the human race but refuses to tackle the growing AIDS epidemic in Africa by changing the churches stance on contraception. The Pope stands for everything old fashioned, out of touch and wrong with the a Church that badly needs to modernise and catch up with the rest of the world.

In essence to me everything the Pope stands for – anti contraception, anti abortion, anti gay – is why he should not be given a state visit. If we did indeed help cover up abuse within the church – and that is an IF – then there is perhaps an even greater reason not allow him such a visit. If he wishes to come to preach to fellow Catholics then fine but let him do it without the pomp, ceremony and expense of a state visit. The UK can ill afford to waste millions of pounds when such savage cuts are on the way but neither should we provide a legitimate platform for someone to spout such damaging rubbish.