Comments as pressure mounts on Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly over Catholic adoption agencies and SORs.
25 January 2007
Politicians should not be singled out for criticism because of their religious beliefs, the Evangelical Alliance has said as pressure mounts on Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly.
Ms Kelly, a committed Catholic, has again found her beliefs at the centre of controversy as she decides on exemptions to the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs).
The Government has said it will announce its decision next week as to whether Catholic adoption agencies can opt out from placing children for adoption with homosexual parents, because of their religious beliefs.
Ms Kelly has previously said she is committed to equality, and the Evangelical Alliance said her faith does not make her unsuitable for office.
Dr R David Muir, the Alliance’s Director of Public Policy, said: “Everyone, whether Christian or not, comes to public life with values, commitments and a moral framework which influences the way they see the world.
“Having a faith commitment should in no way disqualify a person from public life – that would amount to religious discrimination.”
Dr Muir added that legislation, by its very nature, is imprecise and can lead to unintended consequences, such as the current problem.
“We hope that a way will be found for the Catholic adoption agencies to continue their good work in providing welfare for vulnerable young people, in a way that is consistent with their beliefs,” he said.
“While some may see a system of referring homosexual couples to other agencies as a fudge, politics is about negotiation and give-and-take, finding practical and pragmatic solutions to further the common good.”
Media Contact:
Charis Gibson
Evangelical Alliance
020 7207 2117
c.gibson@eauk.org
Notes to editors:
The Evangelical Alliance UK, formed in 1846, is an umbrella group representing over one million evangelical Christians in the UK and is made up of member churches, organisations and individuals. As part of a movement ‘uniting to change society’, the Alliance promotes unity and truth, acts as an evangelical voice to the state, society and the wider Church, and provides resources to help members and other evangelicals live out their faith in their communities.
