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Gay adpotion row
Sam Kirby15/ 5/2008
A SALFORD adoption agency, which has re-homed children for more than 100 years, is facing closure due to its tough standpoint on gay parenting.
The adoption arm of The Catholic Children’s Rescue Society (CCRS), described as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Salford Diocese, is facing closure due to new discrimination laws which clash with the Church’s opposition to homosexuality and same sex parenting.
Under the Equality Act, introduced last year, adoption agencies are banned from turning away homosexual couples and hopes of an exception for the Catholic Church were vetoed by the Government last year.
The Government has given adoption agencies until the end of the year to comply with the new laws but some church leaders have said they would rather see agencies closed down, than place children with gay couples.
While the CCRS, which helps people within the Salford Diocese, is ‘considering all options', it may face the same fate as three of the country’s 13 Catholic agencies, which have already closed their doors or split from dioceses in the wake of the regulations.
CCRS Director Kathy Batt said: "Legislation or otherwise, all charities must review their position now and again.
"We are talking in the Diocese about the way forward for this charity. The society as a whole is in no danger of closing – adoption is only one of the services we offer.
"We are very committed to all our services."
Backers of the charity include BBC Radio Manchester presenter and Cold Feet star John Thomson, who was adopted from the society as a child.
John, who donated £5000 to the cause after winning on a celebrity edition of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, said: "I knew I was adopted from a young age, about four or five.
"My parents said they had chosen me and I was made to feel special.
"I’d hate this to be the end of an era for the society.
"It really would be a tragedy.
"There are so many children who have been happily placed in loving families thanks to them.
"These agencies are needed - if you don’t get adopted then you’re in care until you’re 18 and you miss out on the love that I received.
"One less agency means so many more children are less likely to get a look in."
A decision on the future of its adoption programme is expected in the next six weeks.
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