The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued a carefully worded statement in the growing row between the Government and Roman Catholic Church over their refusal to assess lesbian and gay couples for adoption.
The Revd Richard Kirker chief executive of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) said today (24th January 2007):
"As this debate polarises the Anglican Archbishops have reminded the government and Cardinal that this issue should not be a battlefield of competing rights. There is only one 'right' involved here and that is the right of every child to a safe and loving home."
"Commentators are wrong to see this statement as unqualified support for the Catholic churches stance; the Archbishops are in fact calling down a plague on both their houses."
"In every particular the statement is careful to put the rights of the children first, ahead of political expediency from either government or Church. The last paragraph seen by some as a criticism of the government is clearly also a challenge to the Catholic Church not to play politics with children or put their 'conscience' above their service to these vulnerable little ones."
"There is no doubt that the Catholic hierarchy are themselves uncomfortable with their stance which is demonstrably inconsistent in that they are happy to allow single gay people to adopt or an unmarried atheist heterosexual couple, while rejecting same-sex families bringing up their children in the Catholic faith. But it is understood they have been pushed to this point by Rome."
"Our policy at LGCM is that a level playing field should exist. All agencies should consider all applicants - the selection process for adopting couples is already highly discriminatory and thorough, there is no reason why Catholic agencies should not be willing to assess gay and lesbian couples if the interests of the child truly come first."
"If after the most detailed and prolonged investigations the social workers in Catholic agencies believe the gay or lesbian family are a suitable match for a disadvantaged child then the Panel appointed by the Church would have to take a view."
"This is what putting children first really means."
See also: LGCM wrote a briefing to Westminster Ministers - Religious Adoption Agencies
ENDS
The statement from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York can be found here.
For more information:
Press Officer: Rev Martin Reynolds - 01633 215841
LGCM Press Officer, Martin Reynolds is a priest in Wales and also the parent, with his partner Chris of an adopted son.
Caption: LGCM's Press Officer Martin Reynolds, left, and Chris Iles with their son Andrew at their Civil Partnership in June 2006, in Newport, Gwent.
A high-resolution version of the photo - free for legitimate press use - may be downloaded here
For more about Martin Reynold's story, see the article in The Guardian: "The loving gay family and the archbishop next door"
See also additional comment from Andrew Brown in The Guardian's Comment Is Free - "Is Rowan too subtle or too supple?"
Richard Kirker
Chief Executive
Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement [LGCM]
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, London, E2 6HG
Office Tel & Fax 020 7739 1249
www.lgcm.org.uk
lgcm@lgcm.org.uk
Registered
Charity No 1048842.