British Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced today that there will be no exemptions possible for Catholic adoption agencies who attempt to refuse services to homosexual partners.
“I start from a very firm foundation. There is no place in our society for discrimination,” Blair said. “That's why I support the right of gay couples to apply to adopt like any other couple.”
“While views obviously differ, everyone is agreed that above all the interests of the children and particularly the most vulnerable children must come first,” he added.
Blair is expected to announce a “transition period” after the SOR’s come into general effect to allow Churches to become accustomed to compromising their beliefs. Blair said the rules will not come "fully" into force until the end of 2008. In the meantime, Catholic agencies, he said, had a “statutory duty” to refer homosexual couples to other agencies. Blair also added that the House of Commons Labour MP’s would not be allowed a free vote on the issue.
The PM’s decision has been expected since last week to be in line with his cabinet who, it was said, were appalled and in a state of near revolt over the possibility that he would allow Catholics to act according to their religious principles.
Blair’s announcement comes in the midst of what some are calling the most serious Church/state crisis in Britain in a century. It also comes at the end of Blair’s long tenure as Prime Minister and leader of his party with polls showing slipping support for Labour.
The recently-passed Equality Act’s Sexual Orientation Regulations (SOR’s) specify that no one may “discriminate” against homosexuals in the provision of goods and services, including in religious schools, adoption and social aid agencies, hotels or rental facilities.
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