Pope in Brazil and politics
On September 29, some 30 Brazilian homosexual activists demonstrated in central Rio de Janeiro, handing out leaflets in front of the Candelaria church, then burning posters depicting Pope John Paul II. They were protesting against the church's fierce opposition to a bill being discussed by Brazil's congress which would legalise civil marriage for same sex couples.
The protest, organised by two different gay rights groups, was held just three days before the pope arrived in Rio.
On October 2, Ruth Cardoso, the wife of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, declared her support for a bill which would allow legal abortions in public hospitals in extreme cases, such as when the pregnancy resulted from rape or when the patient's life is in danger.
Speaking with reporters, she denied that the pope's arrival could interfere with the planned congressional vote on the bill, since “the relationship between the pope and the Brazilian congress is zero”. President Cardoso vetoed an earlier version of the abortion bill, but later changed his position on the issue.
[From News Update on the Americas.]
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