Ironically, Archbishop Leonard was speaking at a conference on blasphemy and the limits of religious freedom, at the Free University of Brussels.

The topless protesters, members of the radical group Femen, wore jeans and boots, shouted insults and made violent gestures.

They had slogans painted across their chests and backs, with the phrases "My body, my rules" and "God loves lesbians". They also carried a sign which read "Stop homophobia".

They carried water bottles — similar those used by pilgrims at Lourdes — with which they soaked the archbishop before being removed.

After the incident, the archbishop picked up one of the bottles, which was shaped in the image of the Virgin Mary, and kissed it as a sign of reparation.

"He was very calm and maintained a position of prayer. I have to believe he was praying for us," one observer told Le Soir newspaper.

According to Femen, the attack was spurred by an interview in which Archbishop Leonard suggested celibacy for all single persons, including homosexuals.

In 2010 and 2011, Archbishop Leonard was the target of attacks for his statements against homosexual acts and abortion. These included being repeatedly targeted with a custard pie thrust in his face.

The Catholic bishops of Belgium issued a statement expressing dismay at the latest incident and "solidarity with our colleague".

The bishops' statement noted that "a democratic debate on social questions is not possible unless it allows everyone to expound his ideas with mutual respect and freedom of expression."

Sources:

Catholic News Agency

Spiegel Online

Image: News.com

Alexandra Shevchenko was arrested at the Vatican after dropping to her knees in St. Peter's Square, holding up a sign reading "Freedom for Women" and removing her black see-thru top as seven police officers converged on her.

The officers quickly wrestled the screaming Shevchenko to the ground and took her into custody.

Femen said on its site that Shevchenko was supposed to be joined by two others but they had been detained earlier by Vatican police who had been tipped off about the impending protest.

All three were held for four hours before being released. The group said the purpose of its protest was to crusade against the Vatican's "sexist policies."

"The papal patriarchal propaganda continues to promulgate a medieval idea of a woman's social and cultural place," the group said on its site. "We stand for the rights of free women."

The group has become well known for going to new lengths to ensure their voices are heard. Their methods usually involve letting down their bra straps.

A day earlier, topless members of the group painted in the colours of the Italian flag joined several thousand people demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is embroiled in a sex scandal while his government flounders in the debt crisis sweeping Europe.

Sources

• SBS - Australia
• News24
• Interfax-Religion
• Femen video
• Image: Femen