Controversial anti-gay Belgian cardinal dies

2 November 2004

BRUSSELS – A controversial Belgian cardinal who earlier this year described most gay people as sexual perverts, has died suddenly, it was announced on Tuesday.

Cardinal Gustaaf Joos died at the Landskouter presbetary in northeastern Belgium, where he had been based since 1970.

He was 81.

In January this year Joos caused outrage when he said in a magazine interview that only ten percent of people who claimed to be homosexual actually were.

The rest were “sexual perverts,” he insisted.

“I am willing to write in my own blood that of those who call themselves gay or lesbian, at most five or 10 percent are actually gay or lesbian,” he told Belgium’s P-Magazine.

Last October Joos was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II, a lifelong friend.

Joos also attacked condoms, which he said “allow people to have sexual relations like dogs in the street,” and called former US President Bill Clinton “a sex maniac … elected with the backing of Jews.”

Subject: Belgian news