It was a sad story to watch unfold around the issue of Gay Adoption in the United Kingdom. The Rainbow Sash Movement found itself wondering if Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the head of the Catholic Church in Britain was just out of step with reality, or indeed clueless. To push for an opt out of the Equality Legislation for Catholic Adoption Agencies would be morally and ethically wrong.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and the most senior figure in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, has claimed that the government’s decision to refuse the Church an opt out from anti-discrimination legislation threatens the voluntary work of all churches this position is not shared by other Christians. The UK religious think tank Ekklesia says it is a mistake automatically to conflate church-based initiatives in civil society with publicly funded services, and points out that discrimination has been strongly opposed by a number of Christians on theological grounds.

Trying to justify this position by blackmail, threatening the Government if he did not get his way the Cardinal would have to close all Catholic adoption agencies lacked any pastoral sensitivities The Cardinal could not justify why Catholic adoption agencies in receipt of public funds and offering a public service should be allowed to discriminate against lesbian and gay couples as adoptees.

The paw prints of the Vatican are written all over the Cardinal’s actions. This agenda is far to preoccupied with pelvic activity, from a group of men who claim to be celibate. Had the Vatican put as much energy into protecting innocent children from sexual abuse by holding Cardinals and Bishops accountable for their miss-handling of the sexual abuse scandal perhaps well meaning people would be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. However, to proclaim it is the Hierarchy who has the best interest of children as their agenda is too wacky for words.  

Not satisfied with this the Cardinal than argues that matters of conscience cannot be legislated. He is completely correct here. However the state like the Hierarchy has no right intruding in the internal forum where one is present to their Lord. The British Government is not saying one cannot follow one’s conscience, but this should not be confused with justifying bigotry. Saying that discrimination is wrong is not hindering one’s conscience, it is informing it.

The Cardinal than tries to promote the idea that if Catholic Adoption agencies cannot discriminate against Gay couples that means we cannot practice our faith, a bizarre logic that he could not justify.

British Catholic adoption agencies must comply with non-discrimination laws by the end of 2008 or lose all access to public funds. The Rainbow Sash Movement, and we suspect many UK and Scottish Catholics and other Christians fully supports the British Government position as one of social justice, and promoting the common good.

Rainbow Sash Movement