MONTREAL - The vicar at Montreal's Mary Queen of the World Cathedral yesterday described demonstrators who vandalized the church and littered it with condoms and sanitary napkins as "anti-Christians" trying to silence the Roman Catholic Church's views on abortion.

Father Jean-Pierre Couturier said the demonstrators had "profaned God" and disturbed people who were worshipping by rushing into the cathedral on Tuesday afternoon, spray-painting slogans on an altar, turning over flowerpots, sticking sanitary napkins -- some soiled -- to pictures and walls and throwing condoms around the cathedral's sanctuary.

Sister Rejeanne Poulin, who witnessed the vandalism, said: "They came in yelling things against religion. They said they were claiming the right to abortions and freedom of speech."

The words Neither God Nor Master were spray-painted in foot-high letters at the altar, on the frame of a 19th-century painting. Outside, another slogan, Religion, A Trap For Fools, was painted on a pillar at the front of the cathedral.

Seven people -- three women in their 20s, a girl younger than 18 and three men in their 20s -- were arrested for unlawful assembly after the demonstration. They were released after signing pledges to appear in court. None was named by police.

Two of the people arrested will also be charged with assault against police officers, and another with obstruction, police said.

One man was sent to hospital with what police said was a minor head injury. Police said he resisted arrest; other witnesses said a police officer hit him in the head with a baton, drawing blood. The police had chased down demonstrators two blocks away, witnesses said.

A police spokesman said hate crime charges were not considered because "the elements were not there for charges of that kind."

Hate crime charges apply only to spreading of hatred against specific groups but not to people raising issues of public interest and expressing opinions in good faith.

Witnesses said the demonstrators tried to overturn the tabernacle, but two American tourists visiting the cathedral blocked the them.

"It appeared to be a women's group that was against God, against patriarchy and, above all, against the message of the gospel, which is a message of God," Fr. Couturier said.

"They're against freedom of expression. They're professing their truth, but they want everybody else to shut up."

The demonstration was organized by local feminist activists who wanted a more radical tone to yesterday's International Women's Day, according to a participant. The organizers were apparently a recently formed, ad hoc group that included members of local anti-poverty and feminist groups.

Jean-Francois Hamilton, who witnessed the demonstration, said about 50 people met at Phillips Square in downtown Montreal. The demonstrators were campaigning against sexism and for abortion rights, he said, but did not voice any specific demands.

"There was an anti-Catholic sentiment in the demonstration somewhere ... I saw some signs saying the Pope is controlling women's bodies and he shouldn't be. The Church is pro-life and the people there were pro-choice."

Mr. Hamilton said demonstrators moved to the cathedral, a few blocks away, where about 20 or 30 people went inside.

Yves Forgues, a church employee trying to remove a spray-painted slogan yesterday, said demonstrators had thrown women's panties and bras around the church and ripped hymn books. Fr. Couturier said two altar cloths had been taken.

"It's all little things, but it's the act," Fr. Couturier said.

As he surveyed the mess on Tuesday, Fr. Couturier remarked: "I've got a good subject for the five o'clock mass."