British cardinal upset over same-sex rules for adoption agencies

Published: 2007-01-30

LONDON (CNS) -- The president of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales said he was "deeply disappointed" about the British government's refusal to exempt 13 Catholic adoption agencies from gay rights regulations. "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," said Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster, England. "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." The cardinal's Jan. 29 statement followed an announcement by British Prime Minister Tony Blair that adoption agencies would have until the end of 2008 to comply with the Sexual Orientation Regulations outlawing discrimination against homosexuals in services and facilities. Public funding -- approximately $200 million a year -- will be withdrawn if agencies refuse to place children with same-sex couples.

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