British Catholic adoption agency wins court challenge to gay-rights measure

March 17, 2010

A British Catholic adoption agency has won a victory in its court challenge against regulations that would have required equal treatment for same-sex couples.

Catholic Care, an agency sponsored by the dioceses of Leeds, Middlesbrough, and Hallam, had challenged the finding of the Charity Commission that even religious agencies were obliged to provide adoption services for same-sex couples. A High Court decision has directed the Charity Commission to reconsider that ruling, giving the Catholic agency an opportunity to establish policies consistent with its religious affiliation.

Catholic Care had warned that it would shut down adoption services if forced to comply with the new government policies. Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds welcomed the High Court decision, saying "We look forward to producing evidence to the Charity Commission to support the position that we have consistently taken through this process, that without being able to use this exemption children without families would be seriously disadvantaged."

 

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Further information:

• Catholic charity wins gay adoption ruling (Reuters)
• Catholic adoption society wins exemption from using gay parents (Guardian)
• English bishops will challenge law requiring equal adoption treatment for same-sex couples (CWN, 3/1)