By Arlene Chang
NEW YORK, Apr 20 (IPS) - The visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States this week may have inspired renewed devotion in many Catholic faithful, but progressive church organisations here say that it's time for the Vatican to rethink its more rigid stances on issues like women priests, contraception and homosexuality.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, the Pope stressed that, "The promotion of human rights remains the most effective strategy for eliminating inequalities between countries and social groups, and for increasing security."
But groups advocating for a more inclusive and tolerant Church argue that the Vatican has failed to heed its own advice.
Francis DeBernardo, executive director of the New Ways Ministry, said that the fact that gays and lesbians are ostracised from the Catholic Church is a clear violation of their human rights.
"This Pope has had a terrible record of making harmful statements against gay and lesbian people. We think he should have offered a gesture and met with ministries of LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered] Catholics," DeBernando said. "He should come and listen to perspectives that differ from his own."
His group, which supports the acceptance of gay and lesbian people as full and equal members of church and society, said that part of the purpose of the Pope's visit may have to soften his image as a hardliner, but that he has failed in that mission.
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