Breda O’Brien was wittering on in Saturday’s Irish Times about Pope Benedict XVI’s Christmas message to his staff being misinterpreted by all and sundry. Her comments, however, are no distraction from the vicious homophobia of the current Pope.

Sometimes you hear something and it’s like a slap in the face. Homophobia is still being passed on and we can’t forget that!!!

Dying for the sins of humanity? Sharing Christian charity? Tolerance and love for fellow human beings? Religious conservatives have more important things to worry about: In today’s modern world, nothing is too mundane or absurd as to escape the attentions of the crazies of the religious right in their preparations for Armageddon. We have a quick look at five classic examples from the past few years.

Paster condemns Katy Perry to the Inferno!

The Irish Times reports today that members of Italy’s mafia meted out a punishment of gang rape against one of their number they suspected of being gay. The man was raped while in prison two years ago by eight others, resulting in him requiring medical treatment. None of his attackers were punished by the authorities.