This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6292941.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bishop joins row over gay rights Bishop joins row over gay rights
(about 1 hour later)
The Catholic Church in Scotland has joined the row over gay rights laws.The Catholic Church in Scotland has joined the row over gay rights laws.
The Archbishop of Glasgow wrote to the prime minister and Scotland's first minister, saying new measures would be "a betrayal" of previous commitments.The Archbishop of Glasgow wrote to the prime minister and Scotland's first minister, saying new measures would be "a betrayal" of previous commitments.
Bishop Mario Conti's letter comes after the leader of the church in England and Wales warned the laws could prompt the closure of Catholic adoption agencies. Archbishop Mario Conti's letter comes after the head of the church in England warned the laws could prompt the closure of Catholic adoption agencies.
The church wants to continue its policy of referring gay couples to other adoption agencies.The church wants to continue its policy of referring gay couples to other adoption agencies.
But this could fall foul of the Equality Act, due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April.But this could fall foul of the Equality Act, due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April.
There are two Catholic adoption agencies in Scotland.
Staunch oppositionStaunch opposition
The Scottish Parliament passed legislation in December allowing unmarried and gay couples to adopt, despite staunch opposition from the church.The Scottish Parliament passed legislation in December allowing unmarried and gay couples to adopt, despite staunch opposition from the church.
It makes no exemptions for Catholic adoption agencies but church leaders say ministers assured them their position would be protected.It makes no exemptions for Catholic adoption agencies but church leaders say ministers assured them their position would be protected.
In his letter, Archbishop Conti said: "The Catholic Church in Scotland also provides adoption and fostering services and the proposed regulations put in jeopardy the ability of these agencies to retain the discretion they have always exercised in favour of the children entrusted to them, which discretion is informed by the moral and social teaching of the Catholic Church."In his letter, Archbishop Conti said: "The Catholic Church in Scotland also provides adoption and fostering services and the proposed regulations put in jeopardy the ability of these agencies to retain the discretion they have always exercised in favour of the children entrusted to them, which discretion is informed by the moral and social teaching of the Catholic Church."
He added: "Implementation of the proposed regulations would be regarded as a betrayal of this commitment which was accepted in good faith by the Catholic community in Scotland."He added: "Implementation of the proposed regulations would be regarded as a betrayal of this commitment which was accepted in good faith by the Catholic community in Scotland."
The first minister's spokesman said he would not comment on the letter at this stage.The first minister's spokesman said he would not comment on the letter at this stage.