GAY PRIDE 2000: THE CATHOLIC GROUPS RAISE THE STAKE BY CONVENING A NIGHT

by Alberto Carosa

(EWTNews) ROME. A torchlit procession at 10 pm on July 1st in reparation of, and protest against, the World Gay Pride (July 1-8): this was the gist of a press conference on June 8th, 2000, by a number of Catholic-inspired organizations which are spearheading the growing opposition to the gay event.

The itinerary chosen, in the words of the initiative co-ordinator, attorney Claudio Vitelli, "well symbolises the spirit of the initiative: St John Lateran, the official seat of the Roman Pontiff, will be the starting point of a pilgrimage due to reach in few hours' time, at dawn, the Marian sanctuary of Our Lady of Divino Amore (Divine Love), which is the most important sanctuary of the capital of Christendom". And in fact, attorney Vitelli recalled, the Roman faithful have always successfully resorted to Her intercession whenever Rome had been in danger, as was especially the case during World War II.

The initiative was fully backed by the senior MPs who took the floor during the press conference to manifest their opposition to the Gay Pride from their different angles, from the CCD deputy speaker Carlo Giovanardi to National Alliance's president of the party council for Ethical and Religious problems Gustavo Selva, from Forza Italia's president of the council for Ethical and Religious problems Maria Burani Procaccini to Northern League's president of Constitutional Affairs Commission Alessandro Cé, and National Alliance's Riccardo Pedrizzi, deputy president of his party caucus at the Senate.

Though formally promoted by Catholic-inspired Associazione Famiglia Domani and Centro Culturale Lepanto, who were represented by their respective presidents Marquis Luigi Coda-Nunziante di San Ferdinando and Prof. Roberto de Mattei, among other NGOs present were the lobby operation "SOS Ragazzi", in the person of his director Guido Vignelli, and Laura Ciancio, responsible of "Romans for Rome" committee, which have already collected thousand signatures against the Gay Pride.

In principle, faithful Catholics from across the world are invited to participate in the reparation pilgrimage: for those unable to come, please, make sure you'll be present with your prayers and/or email the co-ordinator, attorney Claudio Vitelli, your message of adhesion, support and encouragement, or any other queries on the organizational aspects of the procession, to the following address: info@viewsfromrome.org

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