Church Unlikely to Gain Exemption in Gay Adoption Fight
Latest reports have suggested that the Roman Catholic Church will not gain an exemption from the new anti-discrimination laws despite the recent public debate over the ethics of gay adoptions.
by Daniel Blake
Posted: Thursday, January 25, 2007, 9:11 (GMT)
Latest reports have suggested that the Roman Catholic Church will not gain an exemption from the new anti-discrimination laws despite the recent public debate on the ethics of gay adoptions.
The Church has demanded an opt-out from the new measures so that they would not be forced to place children in the care of homosexual people - something that goes against some of the core beliefs of the Church.
Rumours that Tony Blair has "caved in" to Cabinet members who are against an exemption have been described as "ridiculous" by Downing Street, according to a BBC report.
However, Downing Street has suggested agencies may be allowed time to adapt or close.
The highly controversial issue has prompted Prime Minister Tony Blair to call a meeting between Labour MPs and an announcement is expected to be made public next week.
The Equality Act, which will come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April, outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.
The law has been touted as a further erosion of traditional Christian values, ethics and beliefs. Catholic leaders say that it simply cannot endorse the measures, as they go against some of the central elements of its faith.
The Church worries in particular that the new law will attempt to force its agencies to act against their beliefs and place children with homosexuals. If this is so and they refuse, they will be closed.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, head of the Roman Catholics in England and Wales, has denied any suggestions that he is using "blackmail".
In addition, the Church of England's two-most senior members, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, have backed the Catholic Church's position.
Dr Williams and Dr Sentamu this week sent a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair to argue that "rights of conscience cannot be made subject to legislation, however well-meaning".
Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman, has said there will be no exemptions to the legislation. In the New Statesman magazine, she said, "We will stay true to our commitment in tackling sexual discrimination in terms of sexual orientation."
However, Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly, a well-known Roman Catholic, is reportedly fighting for an exemption for the Church.
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Added: Friday, January 26, 2007, 22:22 (GMT)
Children are conceived between a man and a woman. They therefore have a right to a mum and a dad. You cannot satsify both counts. Either the child, who has no say in the matter, is discriminated against or the gay couple. Any sane-minded person would put the child first. I have no strong religous beliefs but do possess some common sense.
David Stradling, Weston super mare, England
Added: Friday, January 26, 2007, 0:45 (GMT)
Once again this atheistic Government ignores the majority view to appease the militant minority. The Sexual Orientation Regulations were never about gay rights, there was enough legislation already in place to protect people from being victims of ‘homophobia.’ (And there certainly was no evidence to support any real homophobia existed anyway, not from Christians in any case. However, Christianphobia certainly exists if recent media reporting is anything to go by). No, the real agenda from this Government is about turning this nation into a secularist state and it was convenient to use these SORs as the first major step in doing so. Just like they used multiculterism to attack and isolate Christians and our British heritage and traditions, plus ten years of political correctness from the invisible liberal elite to control our British Society.
This is part of a much wider and bigger agenda to eradicate Christianity from our society and its institutions.. These new regulations show no respect whatsoever for the beliefs and values of people of faith including Christians, Catholics, Muslims, Jews and other minority faiths who have different morals and values to atheist, aggressive liberal secularist and militant gay groups.
I expect the faith communities will now mobilise against New Labour at the next general election who have now revealed their true colours and their hidden agenda. New Labour will pay the price for its arrogance and showing no respect for the beliefs and values of the faith communities. New Labour is obviously hell bent on forcing its secularist, now not so hidden agenda!
Simon Icke, Aylesbury, UK
