Fridae

A controversial new glossary of sexual terms released by the Vatican that describes homosexuality as a condition "without any social value," and claims that people with "profoundly disordered minds" inhabit countries that allow same-sex marriages has angered the gay community in both Italy and the United States.

Franco Grillini, a lawmaker in the Chamber of Deputies and honorary chairman of Italy's largest gay rights group, Arcigay.

The 900-page glossary, called the Lexicon On Ambiguous and Colloquial Terms about Family Life and Ethical Questions, was condemned by activists in both countries, as part of what they called a "new anti-gay crusade."

The glossary, which hit the bookstores on Monday, was prepared by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family, covers themes such as sexuality, condoms, abortion, birth control and genetic manipulation.

A section on "Homosexuality and Homophobia" claims that homosexuality is caused by an "unresolved psychological conflict," and that those who want to give gay people the same legal rights in society "deny a psychological problem which makes homosexuality against the social fabric."

It said the fact that leaders of some countries favor gay marriages "shows a profound disorder in the minds of these countries."

The glossary is said to discourage progressive social mores that urge heterosexuals to accept gay people and also counsels against "stigmatizing" as homophobic those who raise questions about homosexuality.

"Every criticism, every reflection on homosexuality is seen almost as blasphemy, compared to a crime: the crime of homophobia," it reads. The dictionary defines homosexuality as a condition "without any social value."

Although the Vatican's stand against homosexuality and gay marriages appears to be nothing new, observers say the tone has increased in severity.

The dictionary makes plain "the pathological homophobic obsession of the Catholic Church," said Franco Grillini, a lawmaker in the Chamber of Deputies and honorary chairman of Italy's largest gay rights group, Arcigay.

"In my opinion, it's almost racist and it is at the limit of cruelty." He told the Associated Press.

"It is precisely because of the Catholic Church's homophobia that homosexuals have difficulties," he said. "If the Catholic Church would just stop its campaign of hate against gays, a good part of the problems of gays would be resolved."

In the United States, DignityUSA, the country's largest GLBT Catholic organisations, also spoke out against the book.

"I think this is really another political manifesto," said Marianne Duddy, the organisation's executive director. "A 1,000-page book is not going to be picked up and read by an average Catholic. This is another in the string of directives given to politicians to conform to Vatican moral theology."

Franco Grillini, a lawmaker in the Chamber of Deputies and honorary chairman of Italy's largest gay rights group, Arcigay.

"What we always worry about is the impact Vatican statements have on those who are vulnerable to Vatican authority - particularly young people and those just coming out who aren't yet secure enough to make informed moral choices and easily confident about their own choices," she said.

The new book also reiterates its opposition to the use of condoms in combating HIV infection, calling it "an exercise in self-justification."

Branding the Vatican's position as being irresponsible and dangerous which may cause the unnecessary deaths of innocent people, the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association has submitted a letter to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, asking that the Holy See be stripped of its privileged status at the UN.

Currently, the Holy See - which is, in effect, the Vatican's government - has Non-Member State Permanent Observer status where it is permitted to speak at and vote at UN Conferences. No other religion has such a privileged position at the UN. It has been accused of useing this position to try to enforce Catholic doctrine in UN policy, and is pushing to elevate this status even further and become a full voting member of the UN.

George Broadhead, secretary of GALHA, said: "We are shocked at this latest pronouncement from the Vatican. Not only does it condemn the use of condoms - the only known protection against HIV infection - it renews the attack on gay people in insulting and ignorant language. With HIV killing millions of young people throughout the world, we can only describe the Vatican's attitude to condoms as grotesque. The so-called Holy See must not be allowed to promote this anti-condom dogma by the use of its totally unjustified privileged position at the United Nations. We are calling on Kofi Annan to strip the Vatican of its status and renew the fight against Aids using a combination of straightforward sex education and condoms."