A ROMSEY-based campaign group plans to burn bibles at high-profile locations across central London in protest at Pope Benedict’s four-day state visit to Britain.

Founder of Fathers 4 Justice, Matt O’Connor, who lives in Romsey with wife, Nadine, said the group was planning “shock treatment” for the Catholic Church over what he described as its failure to stand up for families and fathers and the teachings in the Bible.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the group will carry out a series of symbolic bible burnings in the capital. “What use is the bible if the Church doesn’t practice what it preaches?” said Mr O’Connor.

“The biggest child abuse scandal in this country is what happens in the secret family courts and the silence from the Pope and the Catholic Church about secret courts is deafening.”

Mr O’Connor added that F4J had ditched its superhero suits in favour of a more serious and provocative campaign. He warned tomorrow’s protests would mark the start of a new wave of civil disobedience, including hunger strikes.

Mr O’Connor said: ‘The family courts are a burning injustice and by burning bibles we are sounding the alarm that the Church has abandoned any pretence that it will defend children and families. In most families now, it is a question of: ‘Father, where art thou?’ Romsey’s Catholic priest, Father George Lyons, said he sympathised with F4J, but didn’t agree with burning bibles.

He said: “There is no institution in the world that supports the family more then the Catholic Church.

“On a personal note, I do feel family courts are too secretive and ought to be more open with proceedings. I do believe fathers have got a bad deal when it appears the mother is given preference over the father. Parents should be treated equally.

“I feel that if someone has to burn what is a sacred book to many people, there distress and pain must be enormous to go to those lengths to get their points made.” Mr O’Connor said the Conservatives had pledged to reform family law before the General Election, but talks with Justice Minister, Jonathon Djanogly, on a review process collapsed this week.

Mr O’Connor said F4J had exhausted every avenue of dialogue and had now been left with no alternative than to go “head to head” with the state.