Critics say pope aims to change laws

NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Critics of the Roman Catholic Church say Pope Benedict XVI wants to retake Europe, if not in the number of its faithful, then at the political table.

Benedict presents the church as an underdog fighting for a voice in secular Europe when it actually remains a mighty power influencing law through friendly center-right governments, said Paolo Flores d'Arcais, editor of the left-wing Italian journal MicroMega.

"How can you say that you're an oppressed minority?" Flores d'Arcais asked. "That's madness."

This month in France, Benedict called for Roman Catholics throughout Europe to strongly support church opposition to same-sex couples, euthanasia, abortion and artificial insemination, The New York Times reported Sunday.

With Mass attendance and the number of priests at a record low, Benedict is wielding his influence to try to change laws in countries with church-friendly coalitions such as Germany, Italy and France, said John Allen Jr., who writes for National Catholic Reporter, a U.S. newspaper.