The power of the Vatican

As Pope Benedict XVI leads Mass in Sydney for World Youth Day, SSO spotlights Italy, examining the effect anti-gay Vatican decrees have on Italy’s gay and lesbian population.

Milan-raised Filippo de Simone, 28, believes that only three years into Pope Benedict’s term, Italians are rebelling against his rigidity -“ a revolt that is harnessing a groundswell of support for gay acceptance in Italy.

The current Pope is so stupid to be so rigid, so straight, Filippo said. The Vatican has tried to prevent the Rome Pride Parade for the past three years but we are too many now.

Perugia-raised Simone Santaga, 25, agrees and says if he were to come out to his mother today, her reaction would be significantly different.

The new Pope criticised Harry Potter because he said children would now be interested in black magic, Simone said. I’m Catholic, I don’t like the Church but John Paul II was good. He was very peaceful, quiet. All Italians miss the last Pope.

Pope Benedict has taken Church preachings to a further extreme. Four months into his papal term in August 2005, the pontiff issued a decree prohibiting the ordination of gay priests.

The Vatican published the instructions on its website, which state, If a candidate practises homosexuality or presents deep-seated homosexual tendencies, his spiritual director -¦ will have the duty to dissuade him in conscience from proceeding towards ordination.

This was a significant change for the Catholic Church. Previously it was homosexual acts that were perceived as sinful; now homosexual thoughts were placed under scrutiny.

Pope Benedict also condemned the Spanish Government’s bill permitting same-sex marriage, urging Catholics to use their conscience to resist the law in June 2005. While there were protests, the bill was passed, effectively undermining the wishes of the Vatican.

I agree with the Spanish in this case. I believe in God but that doesn’t mean I have to listen to the Pope. He is just a person like me. The Spanish people did the right thing, Simone said.

If there is love between two people, why can’t we marry? Why do I or the Spanish have to listen to the Pope?

Despite the former prime minister Romano Prodi’s push for same-sex marriage, Simone believes it will never happen in Italy, citing the Vatican’s power as too great. Simone believes this power is derived from history.

All through history, popes voice their opinion on everything, and Italians want to hear the Church’s opinion, Simone said.

The problem is the Vatican itself. The Pope is just a person. The real power is in the concept of the Vatican and what the Vatican represents.

Both Simone and Filippo are in committed relationships, each spanning more than five years. The anti-gay papal stance doesn’t affect their lives on a day-to-day basis.

The north of Italy is more open than the south. I live in the centre and it’s not difficult to be openly gay. You can do whatever you want, Simone said. I do, however, find it difficult because we don’t have any gay rights.

If my boyfriend were to die, his family would receive all the benefits.

Filippo has been living in Bondi for 18 months, while Simone arrived in Sydney four months ago on a working holiday visa.

I love Sydney because the people here are less stressed than Italians. Australians are warm and genuine, Simone said.

Both are somewhat bemused by the hysteria surrounding the Pope’s visit.

Who is interested in seeing the Pope in Australia? It’s really strange, said Simone.

I think it’s crazy. Why should the Pope come here? said Filippo.