‘Far Removed From Reality’ : Pope Gets Lecture on Birth Control, Activism

A Roman Catholic student leader assailed Pope John Paul II today about church policies on birth control and liberation theology, saying they are “far removed from reality.”

Veronique Oruba, 22, who is of Polish origin, spoke to the Polish-born Pope at an outdoor meeting attended by 30,000 people at the University of Louvain, the French-speaking branch of the Catholic university that is a bastion of liberation theology, a philosophy of social activism.

It was the last day of an 11-day papal visit to the Benelux countries, during which Catholics have challenged church views on sexuality, women, priestly celibacy and the developing world.

“The message we receive from Christian authorities seems to be far removed from reality,” Oruba said.

“The recent stands taken toward Latin American peoples and the liberation theology for instance astonish young students,” she said.

The Pope looked on in silence as she added amid both jeers and cheers from the audience:

“Nicaragua, as Poland, . . . is a country where people are fighting to translate the ideals of the Gospel into reality.”

She also told the pontiff that she is concerned that the Pope’s strict ban on contraception is placing young couples “outside the church.”

The Vatican last September denounced what it sees as Marxist elements in liberation theology. But it said basic notions of liberation and freedom are in line with church teachings.

The 20-year-old doctrine uses the Gospel to justify radical social changes, especially in Latin America. The Pope did not respond to Oruba’s charges but instead read a prepared text on the role of Catholic universities.