[Ed. Note: Since the implementation of Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs) in Great Britain in 2006, it is against the law to discriminate against homosexuals on any level. For the past month, debate has flowed between the Roman Catholic Cardinal and the government on Catholic adoption agencies, who refuse to place children with gays. Monday, Primie Minister Tony Blair ended the debate, giving the Catholic charities 18 months to change their policies or loose government assistance grants. Cheryl M. Wetzel]
http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2007/01/sors_sorted_sor.html
Monday, 29 January 2007
The Prime Minister has announced that there will be no exemption for Catholic adoption agencies under the new Sexual Orientation Regulations. Instead, there will be a delay until the end of next year before they come into force, and during that time, Catholic agencies will have to refer gay couples to other agencies.
The full statement, made in the Lobby this afternoon, Monday, is reproduced below, along with Ruth Kelly's response. Significantly, LibDem MP Dr Evan Harris welcomed it as the "first time" the Government has "stood up" to the religious lobby on a matter of public policy. His full statement is below as well. But the strongest statement came from Bishop Tom Wright of Durham. I was talking to him this afternoon on something else, to be blogged separately soon, and took the chance to ask him what he thought. He did not mince his words, and launched into an excoriating attack on almost every aspect of the present "Labour" Government. In fact, he was so angry he almost forgot to mention Iraq, throwing it in for good measure only at the last minute. The full quotes are below, but first, I was much moved this week to read my former colleague Andrew Pierce's testimony of his life as an adopted, gay Catholic. He actually supports the Church's stance - he was one of those who, without Catholic agencies, might have had a lifetime in care. There are lots of links to many interesting articles as usual at Thinking Anglicans and Anglican Mainstream. (Photo Gill Allen of The Times)
Dr Wright, in his car on his way to address a conference at Swanwick, was furious with the Government. "There is no way that the Catholic Church is going to change its mind on this one given 18 months or so." he said. "This completely fails to take into account the views and beliefs of all those involved. The idea that New Labour - which has got every second thing wrong and is backtracking on extended drinking hours, is in a mess over this cash-for-peerages business, cannot keep all its prisons under control - the idea that New Labour can come up with a new morality which it forces on the Catholic Church after 2,000 years - I am sorry - this is amazing arrogance on the part of the Government.
"Legislation for a nouveau morality is deeply unwise. That is not how morality works. At a time when the Government is foundering with so many of its policies - and I haven't even mentioned Iraq - the thought that this Government has the moral credibility to be able tell the Roman Catholic Church how to order one area of its episcopal teaching is frankly laughable. When you think about it like that, it is quite extraordinary. I suppose the hope is that in 18 months time there will be a different Prime Minister who might take a different view, and this will kick it into the long grass until then."
I am not sure there's much hope of Gordon Brown backing down on this one without alienating large parts of the party, but on the other hand, the prospect of losing thousands of badly-needed votes in Scotland might temper his opinion a little.
The Roman Catholic response from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor was initially predictably muted. His critics will say that the Cardinal, having come out fighting a few days ago, has bottled it. (I wonder what the reaction will be in Rome? Will the Pope accept his resignation this summer, clearing the way for AB Nichols, who won the battle on education?)
But on the Today programme Tuesday morning, the Cardinal was in fighting spirit again. Asked about the Bishop of Durham's comments on this blog, the Cardinal responded: "There is legislation and legislation. Some legislation however well-intended does created a new kind of morality, a new kind of norm, as this does. The legislation about the adoption by homosexual people of children... it seems to me we are having a new norm of what marriage is. I think normally children should be brought up by a father and a mother. We hold that as extremely important. Clearly the Government has a right to legislate. Homosexual couples clearly are able to adopt in other agencies. But we want to hold on to that principle."
He also made the point that the Catholic Church does not intend to close agencies, but that they will lose local authority funding if they do not comply with the law.
By coincidence, the Catholic bishops' standing committee was meeting when the PM's statement appeared, so they had an opportunity to discuss it together. The Cardinal is clearly going to aim for some kind of deal, to avoid the Church having to close the agencies down. I understand the bishops were given some more detailed notes from Downing Street, outlining how this might be achieved, and the Cardinal's statement reflects that. Privately, some of the Catholic bishops are furious. One insider said: "Twenty-one months! It could have been 21 years. If something is morally wrong, what's the difference?" We can expect a more detailed response from the Catholics soon. Meanwhile, the Cardinal said: "It is clear from the Prime Minister’s statement that he has listened to some of the concerns of the Catholic Church in regard to its adoption agencies. We are, of course, deeply disappointed that no exemption will be granted to our agencies on the grounds of widely held religious conviction and conscience. We look to the forthcoming Parliamentary debate to address some of the fundamental issues centred on the well-being of the child, whose needs must always be put first. We note and welcome, however, the Government’s expressed desire that the experience and excellent work of our agencies is not lost, especially for the benefit of needy children. We appreciate the two year period that will be established for independent assessment. We note that one of its purposes will be to 'ensure the valuable expertise of faith-based adoption agencies in successfully placing the most vulnerable children, including the full range of post-adoption services, is retained and developed' (Terms of Reference). We understand that Local Authorities will continue to work with and fund our Catholic agencies in their vital and sensitive work during this period. This debate has raised crucial issues for the common good of our society. We believe there is an urgent task to reach a new consensus on how best the public role of religious organisations can be safeguarded and their rights upheld. An important part of our Catholic tradition is to work constructively with the Government in mutually respectful cooperation, in which we can act with confidence and integrity in the service of the common good."
The Prime Minister had said in a statement read out to the Lobby: "Over the last few days I have listened to the strongly-held views on all sides on the issue of adoption agencies and the new sexual orientation regulations. I have heard from representatives of gay rights groups and the leaders of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches as well as Jack McConnell, who has been making sure the Scottish perspective is heard in these discussions. While views obviously differ, everyone is agreed that, above all, the interests of the child and particularly the most vulnerable children must come first. I believe we have now found a way through that achieves this and which all reasonable people will be able to support.
"I start from a very firm foundation: there is no place in our society for discrimination. That is why I support the right of gay couples to apply to adopt like any other couple. And that is why there can be no exemptions for faith-based adoption agencies offering publicly-funded services from regulations which prevent discrimination.
"This will be made clear in the regulations that the Government will lay before Parliament shortly. In the interests of children, they will include a transition period before these regulations come fully into force at the end of 2008 for existing adoption agencies. This will be coupled, during this period, with a statutory duty for any adoption agency which does not process applications from same sex couples to refer them to another agency. I have also asked for a regular independent assessment from adoption and child welfare experts on the impact of the sexual orientation regulations on adoption in order to maintain the existing body of expertise.
"I am convinced that this is a package which has the interests of children, and particularly the most vulnerable, at its heart. It recognises the hugely valuable role played in adoption by charities and volunteers, including those inspired by religious faith, ensure we do not lose their expertise and services while upholding and extending the Government’s record against discrimination in all spheres."
Ruth Kelly responded: "The Prime Minister has made a statement on the arrangements for the sexual orientation regulations which will be implemented in April this year. These regulations will provide protection for individuals from unfair treatment because of their sexual orientation, in relation to goods and services. This covers, for example, shops and hotels, the delivery of health and education services and the rental and sale of premises.
"The approach on adoption is a positive breakthrough in eliminating discrimination while recognising the need for a practical approach that ensures the most vulnerable children are found loving homes. This approach should be welcomed by everyone on what has been an extremely complex issue. I have met a broad range of those with a direct interest in these regulations and each has had passionately held views, expressed with real conviction.
"Two things are clear. First, that everyone wants to ensure that as a Government we tackle discrimination and second, no one wants to lose the excellent adoption expertise that helps some of the most vulnerable children. The package announced today, gives us the opportunity to meet both of those tests.
"The transition arrangements will give adoption agencies time to adapt and address how they work alongside an independent assessment of the process to ensure that the high quality expertise that exists is not lost. There will be no exemptions on adoption.
"During the period up to 2008 we will look to faith based adoption agencies to work with us on how they might adapt their methods of operation to meet the new legal requirements. An independent team will be reporting to the Prime Minister on the practicalities of ensuring that the needs of vulnerable children and their adoptive parents will continue to be met both during the transition period and thereafter. Clearly listening to the experts on child welfare and adoption is vital.
"We have had the debate and heard a range of views - many of them expressed with passion and conviction. As a result we now have a workable solution. Good government is about robust debate and finding solutions that meet our principles in a practical way. This is the right way forward. I hope that all concerned will now work with us to implement the package we have announced today. At the end of the day, we all know that there is a wide range of potential adoptive parents out there, including lesbians and gay men who can provide a loving home for children.
"This Government has a proud record on equality and supports a society where every citizen is treated fairly and with respect. Over the last decade, it is this Government which has done more than any other to build a decent and cohesive society. Today’s announcement is a breakthrough that should be welcomed by everyone.”
Andrea Minichiello Williams of the Lawyers’ Christian, which has led the campaign against the regulations, was not so sure. "The reason why this exemption has been sought by Catholic Adoption agencies is because of their churches teaching of over 2000 years that sexual activity outside heterosexual marriage is wrong. It is difficult to see how 18 months is going to change this position," she said. "The effects of these regulations will go far beyond adoption agencies and will reach into every area of public life. They are in danger of excluding men and women of deeply held religious conviction from positions of public importance because they will not submit to this new morality."
Dr Harris, pictured here at his party conference, and who is a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, said: "The real problem here is that the Government is providing a single take it or leave it option for MPs on the whole of the regulations. It will be vital that the Government does not provide any other exemptions from discrimination to religious organisations beyond those provided in the Northern Ireland regulations. This is the first time that the Labour party has stood up to the united lobbying of religious organisations seeking special treatment in public policy matters and that is a welcome new development."
Posted by Ruth Gledhill on Monday, 29 January 2007 at 06:52 PM in Religion | Permalink
