Brazilian priest suspended for support of condoms

A Catholic priest serving in the Brazilian congress has been temporarily suspended from his priestly duties for supporting the free distribution of condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS.

The Reverand Luiz Couto has been suspended from his work in the northeastern state of Paraiba.

Archdiocese spokesman Eisenhower de Albuquerque says the church took the action because of Couto's public stance "in favour of the use of condoms, his support of gay marriage and his opposition to priestly celibacy".

Couto spokesman Jose Moreira says the priest is not a gay-marriage advocate, but is an opponent of discrimination "including discrimination against homosexuals".