Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has written to the Cabinet to say church teaching prevented its agencies placing children with homosexual couples.
He says forcing agencies to act against their consciences would constitute discrimination against Catholics.
The Equality Act is due to come into effect in April.
It outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation in a similar way to rules on sex and race discrimination.
Although I do not support discrimination against any group in principle, I am totally against any organisation or legislation that prevents discrimination by discriminating against others
The problem with Nu Labours desire to outlaw discrimination in any form is that it has to discriminate in order to not discriminate! Now we have the example in which the Equality Act will place the rights of homosexuals not to be discriminated against above the right of Religious Groups to have the freedom of conscience and religion; in other words, everyone is equal in their right not to be discriminated against, but some are more equal than others.
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor says Roman Catholic teaching about the foundations of family life rules out the choice of homosexual adoptive parents.
The cardinal said the closure of the seven agencies would represent a wholly avoidable "tragedy".
Its agencies are said to handle 4% or about 200 of all adoptions a year but about a third of those children judged difficult to place.
The cardinal said the closure of the seven agencies would represent a wholly avoidable "tragedy".
Its agencies are said to handle 4% or about 200 of all adoptions a year but about a third of those children judged difficult to place.
BBC Religious Affairs Correspondent Robert Pigott said the letter suggests the Catholic Church is ready for a fight.
Well it is about time that they did put up a fight. A certain other religious group in this country continues to grow in influence due to the vocal nature of it's "congregation".
Interestingly enough, this new legislation also conflicts with their views on sexuality, and so left unchallenged, Nu Labour could well have to face the ignominy of presiding over a contest between homophobia and islamaphobia.
4 comments:
Unfortunately nothing ever seems to come from the church other than the occasional pronouncement, followed swiftly by an apology (of sorts) by the person who made it. Even as we discuss what the Cardinal has said, people behind the scenes are probably "counselling" him and trying to convince him not to go too far. The Church needs to make a stand and have the backbone to lead a proper debate on all such issues.
That may be true but it is up to anyone who supports the church to make their views known wherever possible. Although the whole of the country is in a real mess, Nu Labour is really starting to tie itself in knots with it's own liberal legislation that will more and more contradict itself.
So are you saying that you think it is ok to discriminate against gay couples?
No that is not what I am saying. Currently the Catholic agencies that deal with adoption refer all enquiries from same sex couples to other agencies that can assist them. I am against anti-discrimination legislation in any form if it effectively discriminates against another group to achieve its aims. The service provided by the Catholic Church is in addition to the work carried out by other agencies and in itself does not prejudice same sex couples from adopting. Some people may take the view that the Catholic Church is trying to blackmail the Government by threatening to close down the service if an exemption is not given. Surely the very reason that the Catholic Church is involved in adoption at all is due to the conscience of members of the Church. It is this act of conscience that should be respected and I believe this to be equal to the rights of other groups.
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