There's a huge row about the Catholic Church, adoption, and homosexuals. You've probably heard about it. I just have time for a few quick links:
In an unexpected move, the Prime Minister issued a brief statement which all but confirmed that he had bowed to his Cabinet ministers and ruled out giving Catholic adoption agencies an opt-out from new laws that would make it illegal for them to refuse to deal with gay couples.
Instead, he is expected to introduce proposals - which will be voted on by Parliament next month - for a “transition” period of around a year to allow the agencies adapt to the new gay rights laws.
Earlier this week Mr Blair had infuriated ministers by saying he wanted to find a compromise that respected the “sensitivities” of both the Church and supporters of gay rights.
His comments came after Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the Roman Catholic leader in England and Wales, warned that the church would close its adoption agencies if it was forced to accept the new laws.
However, senior Cabinet ministers swiftly lined up to say they would oppose any move to give Catholic adoption agencies exemptions from the new Sexual Orientation Regulations.
Only a handful of ministers, including Ruth Kelly, the Communities Secretary and a devout Roman Catholic, backed Mr Blair.
Labour MPs are already speculating whether Miss Kelly will be able to remain in the Cabinet following the Prime Minister’s retreat.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York had written to Blair in favor of the RC position.
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