Four students at Spain’s Madrid Complutense University were arrested March 18 by National Police on charges of desecrating a place of worship.
Displaying slogans on their bare torsos, the four students and others entered the university’s Somosaguas Chapel and read out a manifesto against recent homophobic and macho statements made by Roman Catholic bishops and the pope.
Local reports said at least one female couple allegedly made out near the altar. The church reportedly was empty at the time but for two girls, one woman and the chaplain.
If convicted, the protesters could spend up to a year in jail.
Sixty professors at the university have signed a manifesto supporting the protesters and secularism at the university but not “the manner in which (the protest) developed.”
Madrid’s archbishop later staged a “healing mass” at the chapel that was attended by about 1,000 people.
Assistance: Bill Kelley