Category - sor

Christian groups told not to 'play on people's fears' over Sexual Orientation Regulations

staff writers — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:45:26 +0000

The evangelical movement Faithworks is urging Christians not to take the statements issued by some Christian groups concerning the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs) as gospel.

Northern Ireland Protestants and Catholics join forces in equalities fight

staff writers — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:46:12 +0000

Protestants and Catholics who have previously been fiercely critical of each other – refusing even to recognise one another as fellow Christians, in some cases – have come together to oppose legislation in the province that would require them to treat lesbian and gay people on an equal basis in terms of public provision.

How will they know we are Christians?

Jonathan Bartley — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:38:52 +0000

The announcement that there will be no opt-out for Catholic adoption agencies from the Sexual Orientation Regulations, has been interpreted as posing a threat to the involvement of churches in public life.

Evangelical leader welcomes UK equalities legislation

staff writers — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:54:52 +0000

A prominent evangelical Christian, the Rev Malcolm Duncan, who heads up the Faithworks movement ‚Ä' which is involved in public service provision ‚Ä' has welcomed the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs) that some Catholic and Anglican leaders have described as compromising their consciences.

Wrong debate, wrong language

Malcolm Duncan — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 12:19:13 +0000

Tony Blair announced on Monday (29th January 2007) that faith-based adoption agencies will not have special exemptions from the new Sexual Orientation Regulations, but that they will have a ‚Äòtransition period' of 21 months before the SORs come fully into force at the end of 2008. He also paid tribute to the work of agencies motivated by religious faith, and stated that it was important to ensure that the expertise and services of these groups was not lost.

Knowing Christians by their love (not their opt-outs), Thought for the Day, BBC Radio 4, 31st January 2007

Press Office — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 09:15:26 +0000

The announcement that there will be no opt-out for Catholic adoption agencies from the

LGCM says children must come first in adoption matters

staff writers — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:42:22 +0000

The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) has given a broad welcome to Prime Minister Tony Blair's proposal that adoption agencies currently operating under restrictions imposed by Roman Catholic bishops should be given 21 months to find a way of continuing to serve children without discriminating against lesbian and gay couples.

Cardinal raises debate about church-government relations after adoption row

staff writers — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:39:01 +0000

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.

Discrimination against gay people is like apartheid, says Tutu

staff writers — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:37:10 +0000

Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, has warned that an unhealthy obsession with homosexuality means African churches risk ignoring real problems facing the continent ‚Ä' and has added that the mistreatment of lesbian gay people is like apartheid.

Adoption row highlights need for rethink of church-state relations

Press Office — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:51:47 +0000

Responding to comments from Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and the most senior figure in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, the independent UK religious think-tank Ekklesia says it is a mistake to automatically conflate church-based initiatives in civil society with government-sponsored services.