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‘Grave concerns’ at same sex adoption
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Printable version |
| By Brian Davies
5 September, 2010 |
THE ARCHBISHOP of Sydney, George Cardinal Pell, this week restated the Church’s “grave concerns” about proposed legislation due to be debated in State parliament this month that would allow same-sex couples the right to adopt children.
Cardinal Pell was a co-signatory to a letter to all State MPs this week urging them to reject the bill and to ensure that the right of every child to know the love and care of a father and a mother continued to be reflected in the Adoption Act.
The Bill to rewrite the Act was introduced last June by the independent state MP and Lord Mayor Clover Moore. Ms Moore said she would, however, now amend it so as to give church adoption agencies the right to refuse adoption services for gay and lesbian couples, without breaching anti-discrimination laws.
She was quoted as saying that to help ensure the Bill’s passage through State parliament. she was amending it, in line with requests from church adoption agencies.
The letter to MPs from church leaders, however, pointed out that the Adoption Act as it stood placed the needs of the child above the desires and preferences of adults.
The letter continued: “We acknowledge that, sadly, some marriages and families break down and that it is not always possible for children to be raised by a loving father
and mother living together, faithfully and permanently.”
“But for lack of adequate studies to support adopted children being placed with same-sex couple, it would be profoundly unjust and reckless to place the desires of same-sex couples to adopt above the needs and vulnerability of children.”
The other signatories to the letter were the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, Peter Graham, Moderator of the Presby terian Church, and Dr Keith Garner of the Wesley
Mission.
Cardinal Pell said that the Parliament should be mindful of the facts that backed by a
petition to Parliament by 8700 people, a majority of similar submissions to the
inquiry into the proposal all supported the right of children to be raised by a mother
and father.
“Moreover, the Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney, commented that as a result of those concerns, the Government was not satisfied that there was broad community support to justify the proposed legislation,” he said.
The director of the Life, Marriage and Family Centre for the Archdiocese, Chris
Meney, also addressed a public meeting of protest, including concerned MPs, in the
Parliamentary theatrette.
Mr Meney said the proposed legislation failed to recognise the fundamental right of children to be raised by a mother and a father, where possible.
He said the Church’s objections were not an attack on homosexual persons, nor did
they devalue the love and commitment of single parents who are raising their children,
often in difficult circumstances.
“But, in view of the vulnerability of adopted children who may already face challenges
as to their personal and family identity, a motherfather family demonstrably better provides the nurturing they need and the environment in which they can fully grow and flourish.
“That’s a matter of justice and caring."
The bill is expected to be debated in Parliament this month and Premier Keneally
and the Opposition leader Barry O’Farrell have agreed to allow their MPs a conscience
vote on its passage.
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