Evangelicals Back Ruth Kelly's Support of Catholic Exemption to Gay Adoption

|PIC1|Politicians should not be singled out for criticism because of their religious beliefs, the Evangelical Alliance has said as pressure mounts on Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly.

The EA, which represents more than 1 million evangelicals in the UK, made the comments in response to the controversy over Ms Kelly's support for a gay adoption exemption for church-based adoption agencies in accordance with her own Catholic beliefs.

Ms Kelly's beliefs have been publicised greatly in the press over the past week as she contemplates exemptions to the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs).

The Government has said it will announce its decision next week as to whether Catholic adoption agencies can opt out from placing children for adoption with homosexual parents because of their religious beliefs.

Ms Kelly has previously said she is committed to equality, and the Evangelical Alliance has supported the under-fire Communities Secretary, saying that her faith does not make her unsuitable for office.

Dr R David Muir, the Alliance's Director of Public Policy, said: "Everyone, whether Christian or not, comes to public life with values, commitments and a moral framework which influences the way they see the world.

"Having a faith commitment should in no way disqualify a person from public life - that would amount to religious discrimination."

Dr Muir added that legislation, by its very nature, is imprecise and can lead to unintended consequences, such as the current row over conscientious objection.

"We hope that a way will be found for the Catholic adoption agencies to continue their good work in providing welfare for vulnerable young people, in a way that is consistent with their beliefs," he said.

"While some may see a system of referring homosexual couples to other agencies as a fudge, politics is about negotiation and give-and-take, finding practical and pragmatic solutions to further the common good."

Prime Minister Tony Blair has promised a decision next week on whether Catholic adoption agencies will be able to opt out of the new measures.

He said there could be a Commons vote, saying it was important to find "a way through this sensitive...issue".

Education Secretary Alan Johnson has said that any opt-out would mean "plain, simple discrimination".

However, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor said the rules went against Catholic teachings and agencies would be forced to close if they were forced to go against their beliefs.

In a statement, Mr Blair said: "Both gay couples and the Catholic agencies have high levels of success in adopting hard-to-place children. It is for that reason we have taken time to ensure we get these regulations right."

The Church of England has given its full backing to the Roman Catholic Church in its fight for an exemption.