A clash of tongues

Hundreds gathered at Taylor Square to protest anti-gay, anti-condom teachings of the Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, leading to an hour-long clash between NoToPope activists and World Youth Day pilgrims as the two marches crossed at Moore Park.

Police were present in large numbers, forming a barrier between the near-thousand protesters camped at the park and the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims marching to Randwick Racecourse.

A 19-year-old pilgrim from Newcastle launched himself through the police line and was arrested and questioned, but later released without charge. No protesters were arrested.

On Saturday, crowds were generally well-behaved and compliant, with organisers continuing to work with police during the day, Assistant Commissioner of Police Cath Burn said.

Queer activist Rachel Evans lead the protest, fresh from her victory in the Federal Court overturning the NSW Government’s World Youth Day anti-annoyance provisions.

We need a separation of church and state. You can believe in what you like, but you shouldn’t have to pay for the beliefs of others, she told the crowd gathering at Taylor Square before the march.

Evans also accused Pope Benedict XVI of homophobia and having blood on his Prada pumps for his public opposition to contraception and abortion.

The pilgrims responded to the protesters’ chants with their own, Benedicto, but largely turned the other cheek on the colourful group.

This is just a tiny flashpoint in a very big event, Father Bill Gill from Melbourne told Sydney Star Observer as he passed the protesters.

There may be a thousand of them, but look at how many there are [of us].

Gill said there was no point debating with the protesters as they had already made up their minds.

Many of the pilgrims were not aware of the controversy as they approached the clash-point, and asked media and police officers what was happening.

Following the march, Vanessa Wagner hosted a kiss-in at Taylor Square involving dozens of same-sex couples, as well as a Hunky Jesus competition and annoying T-shirt auction.