A Swiss bishop has put the kibosh on plans for Catholic involvement in the ecumenical church service held at the annual Zurich Pride Festival.
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The Homosexual Task Force of Zurich (HAZ) is outraged. In a statement released on Friday, its members demanded that Bishop Vitus Huonder rescind his decision.
They have also asked that Huonder apologise for the “public ostracism”.
Huonder is the bishop of the diocese of Chur, which covers central and southeastern Switzerland, as well as the region of Zurich.
Meanwhile, the Catholic church of Zurich is also disappointed. It would have provided both moral and financial support for participation in the special service targeted at gays, lesbians, bi- and transsexual people of all faiths.
The topic will be discussed at a meeting with the auxiliary bishop on August 30.
swissinfo.ch and agencies
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