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Churches unite over adoption row Churches unite over adoption row
(about 9 hours later)
The Church of England has backed the Catholic Church in its bid to be exempt from laws on adoption by gay couples.The Church of England has backed the Catholic Church in its bid to be exempt from laws on adoption by gay couples.
Catholic leaders in England and Wales say its teachings prevent its agencies placing children with homosexuals and they will close if bound by the rules.Catholic leaders in England and Wales say its teachings prevent its agencies placing children with homosexuals and they will close if bound by the rules.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, have written to the PM. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, have written to Tony Blair.
They say "rights of conscience cannot be made subject to legislation, however well-meaning".They say "rights of conscience cannot be made subject to legislation, however well-meaning".
The Equality Act, due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April, outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.The Equality Act, due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April, outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.
Matter of conscienceMatter of conscience
The archbishops said many people who do voluntary work are motivated by religious beliefs.The archbishops said many people who do voluntary work are motivated by religious beliefs.
They point out exceptions have already been made for those whose conscience dictates they cannot take part in certain work, such as NHS doctors unwilling to perform abortions.They point out exceptions have already been made for those whose conscience dictates they cannot take part in certain work, such as NHS doctors unwilling to perform abortions.
When you over legislate and intervene too much in people's private lives, in the long run you end up with a statute being used to cure all ills which it cannot Archbishop John Sentamu In full: Anglican letter In full: Catholic letter The freedom of conscience cannot be made subject to legislation however well-meaning Archbishop John Sentamu In full: Anglican letter In full: Catholic letter
"In legislating to protect and promote the rights of particular groups the government is faced with the delicate but important challenge of not thereby creating the conditions within which others feel their rights to have been ignored or sacrificed, or in which the dictates of personal conscience are put at risk," they said. "In legislating to protect and promote the rights of particular groups the government is faced with the delicate but important challenge of not thereby creating the conditions within which others feel their rights have been ignored or sacrificed, or in which the dictates of personal conscience are put at risk," they said.
Archbishop Sentamu, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, said: "The freedom of conscience cannot be made subject to legislation however well-meaning."Archbishop Sentamu, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, said: "The freedom of conscience cannot be made subject to legislation however well-meaning."
He said the Church was "absolutely" against discrimination, and also did not believe homosexuality was a sin.He said the Church was "absolutely" against discrimination, and also did not believe homosexuality was a sin.
Referring to a letter from the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, calling for an opt-out for adoption agencies, Archbishop Sentamu said: "But it doesn't mean that on this particular issue about the adoption agency he hasn't got a case." Cabinet 'split'
'Legal spider's web' But he warned: "When you over-legislate and intervene too much in people's private lives I think in the long run you end up with a statute being used to cure all ills, which it cannot."
Archbishop Sentamu warned: "When you over-legislate and intervene too much in people's private lives I think in the long run you end up with a statute being used to cure all ills which it cannot. The row over whether Catholic adoption agencies should be exempt from the change in the law, which would require them to work with gay couples, is said to have split the Cabinet.
"And I think the danger is therefore that to spin a legal spider's web from which actually nobody can escape". It is understood that many Cabinet members are not prepared to concede on the issue, but the prime minister's official spokesman said he was not aware that any had threatened to resign over it.
This is a row driven by a clash of principles, not by practical problems BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in fullThis is a row driven by a clash of principles, not by practical problems BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
The row over whether Catholic adoption agencies should be exempt from the change in the law is said to have split the Cabinet. On Wednesday evening a Downing Street spokesman said "no decision" had been taken on any exemption.
Tony Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister was "leading the process of trying to find a way through those conflicting pressures". But he said he did not recognise any suggestion that the decision would be "kicked into the long grass" and said it was "ridiculous" to suggest Mr Blair had "caved in".
He said: "This is a difficult issue. At the core of it are the children - not just those in care now but those receiving after-care."
It is understood that many Cabinet members are not prepared to concede on the issue, but the official spokesman said he was not aware that any had threatened to resign over it.
When asked if Cherie Blair, a Catholic, was playing any part in the process, as has been reported on Wednesday, the spokesman said: "This is not about personality, it is more serious than that."
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly, who is Catholic, is reported to be pushing for an exemption.Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly, who is Catholic, is reported to be pushing for an exemption.
Ambition or faith?
Labour MP Stephen Pound, also Catholic, does not support a religious exemption and believes the adoption row has put Ms Kelly in a difficult decision.Labour MP Stephen Pound, also Catholic, does not support a religious exemption and believes the adoption row has put Ms Kelly in a difficult decision.
HAVE YOUR SAY Since when have the laws of England not applied to the church? Greg Skinner, Loughborough Send us your comments
"We seem to be living in a world where people who have strongly held views are somehow derided for that," he told BBC's World At One."We seem to be living in a world where people who have strongly held views are somehow derided for that," he told BBC's World At One.
HAVE YOUR SAY Since when have the laws of England not applied to the church? Greg Skinner, Loughborough Send us your comments
"In Ruth's case there is demonstrably a conflict. Is it right for us to expect someone to abandon everything they believe in because of the prevailing majority view? Does she abandon her ambition or her faith?""In Ruth's case there is demonstrably a conflict. Is it right for us to expect someone to abandon everything they believe in because of the prevailing majority view? Does she abandon her ambition or her faith?"
The National Secular Society said that allowing an exemption for the Church would open the "floodgates for a never-ending series of demands".The National Secular Society said that allowing an exemption for the Church would open the "floodgates for a never-ending series of demands".
Implications Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, has asked that his agencies be allowed to opt-out of rules requiring that gay couples be considered as prospective adoptive parents.
But Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor has denied claims by secular and gay-rights activists that he is using "blackmail" in a bid to secure exemptions. But he has denied claims that he is using "blackmail" by saying Catholic agencies will have to close, if bound by the laws.
The Catholic Church said it wants to continue its policy of referring gay couples to other adoption agencies.
Critics say the new sexual orientation regulations mean hotels cannot refuse to provide rooms for gay couples, and religious groups would be obliged to rent out halls for "gay wedding" receptions.
They also argue a Christian, Jewish or Muslim printer could be forced to print a flyer for a gay night club, or a teacher would have to break the law to promote heterosexual marriage over homosexual civil partnership.