Matthew's Journal

It's with a certain trepidation that I broach this subject - views seem pretty polarised already. I listened to Today interviewing ++John, where he made an interesting point[1], which was that doctors, although required to treat everyone, are allowed to decide on the basis of conscience not to perform abortions (and instead must refer patients onto doctors who will). Currently, Roman Catholic adoption agencies (who deal with about 4% of cases, although a substantially higher proportion of "difficult" children) behave similarly, in that they will refer homosexual couples on to other agencies.

His point was that since we allow doctors freedom of conscience (whilst ensuring that people needing abortions get them), we should allow RC adoption agencies freedom of conscience (whilst ensuring that suitable gay couples are still able to adopt).

I'm not sure what I make of that. Personally, I don't think RC adoption agencies should discriminate against homosexuals, FTR. I'm interested in what readers think - not so much as to whether the RCC is right or not, but as to ++John's point.

[1]He also said that he didn't think homosexuality was a sin, which will upset some people.