“We are deeply disappointed that no exemption will be granted to our agencies on the grounds of widely held religious conviction and conscience”, declares Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, in a statement released after the decision of the Prime Minister to grant no exemption to Catholic organizations in the application of the law on the adoption of children. The bishops and other religious leaders had made many appeals, asking the government that Catholic adoption agencies be exempted from compliance with the law on equality 2006. According to this law, which should come into force in April, after final approval by Parliament next month, any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, in the provision of goods, benefits and services, is prohibited: that includes the adoption of children. So Catholic adoption agencies shall, under the terms of the act, shall be required to consider same-sex couples as potential adoptive parents. The Prime Minister has granted a 21-month period of exemption to the Church in applying the law. “This debate – continues the cardinal’s statement – has raised crucial issues for the common good of our society. We believe there is an urgent task to reach a new consensus of how best the public role of religious organizations can be safeguarded and their rights upheld”. The cardinal welcomes “the Government’s expressed desire that the experience and excellent work of our agencies is not lost, especially for the benefit of needy children”, and repeats the hope of the bishops: “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”.
