Oz pilgrims to be given condoms to protest against the Pope

Sydney, June 24 : Pilgrims in Sydney to attend World Youth Day celebrations will be given condoms in a protest against Pope Benedict XVI's opposition to contraception and homosexuality.

According to The Australian, the NoToPope Coalition, which includes members of Sydney's atheist, gay and environmental communities, will march to Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, July 19, alongside Catholic pilgrims who will be walking to Randwick after a pilgrimage trek across the Sydney Harbour Bridge that day.

The coalition is planning a rally at Taylor Square in Sydney's inner east, followed by the march to the racecourse, where Pope Benedict XVI is holding a prayer vigil that evening.

Coalition spokeswoman Rachel Evans said the "peaceful protest" would condemn the Pope's stance against condoms, homosexuality and abortion.

The protest would be peaceful and would not condemn Catholicism.

ANI