English bishops will challenge law requiring equal adoption treatment for same-sex couples
March 01, 2010
Three English Catholic bishops are mounting a court challenge to a law that would require them to provide equal for same-sex couples treatment in adoption services.
Parliament in 2007 approved legislation that requires equal treatment in adoption. The Catholic Care agency, which arranges adoptions for "difficult to place" children, is contesting the validity of the law. Bishops Arthur Roche of Leeds, Bishop John Rawsthorne of Hallam, and Bishop Terry Drainey of Middlesbrough said that the 2007 law seems to require Catholic agencies to conduct their business "with disregard to the Church’s teaching on marriage and family life."
Unlike the American archdioceses of Boston and Washington, which discontinued adoption services in the face of similar legal requirements, the English bishops chose to fight the requirement in court. They explained: "Our position is that it is in the interests of children to continue our work."
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: rfwilliams2938 -
Mar. 03, 2010 7:06 AM ET USA
Laws like this do threaten religious liberty. However, the best interest of the child should be foremost. A husband & wife adoption is obviously the best option, but if only a gay couple is willing, then what? Isn't placing a child in a loving environment better than keeping the child in an institution or passing the child around foster parents? Yes, homosexuality is a gevious sin, but are husband & wife couples quizzed on their sins to determine if they are guilty of grevious sins?
-
Posted by: DrJazz -
Mar. 01, 2010 8:47 PM ET USA
Bravo to these Bishops for challenging an unjust law!
