BY Martin Dunlop | January 24 | 
1 COMMENT 
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Equality complaint threatens future of Scottish Catholic adoption agency
National Secular Society's new claim of discrimination against homosexuals by St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society puts Catholic group’s charitable status at risk
Representatives of St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society are meeting to discuss the best way forward after the Catholic charity’s future was placed in jeopardy following a warning from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR.)
The Scottish Catholic agency has been threatened with the loss of its charitable status as watchdogs criticised its practice of only placing children for joint adoption by married couples, in accordance with Church teaching.
Following a complaint from the National Secular Society, which described St Margaret’s policy as ‘sectarian decision-making’ and ‘publicly financed crude discrimination,’ an announcement from the OSCR said: “The criteria it applies to people who inquire about assessment as prospective adoptive parents discriminate unlawfully against same-sex couples. The charity’s preferred criteria prioritise couples who have been married for at least two years: marriage is not available to same-sex couples and this constitutes direct discrimination.”
In response to the announcement, a spokesman for St Margaret’s said: “We have been informed by OSCR of their findings. We will fully examine the contents of their determination and take appropriate legal counsel before responding.”
Four years ago, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said he wanted to find a way to save Catholic adoption agencies from being forced to close because of homosexual discrimination laws.
Reacting to the most recent development, Education Secretary Mike Russell said he was ‘disappointed’ by the regulator’s decision and has outlined his intention to meet representatives of St Margaret’s to discuss the situation.
“We do not believe that this outcome is in the best interests of the children St Margaret’s helps, who are in need of a safe and loving family home,” Mr Russell said.
“We believe St Margaret’s should be able to continue its valuable work and are actively and urgently seeking a solution.
“I will personally meet with representatives of St Margaret’s next week to discuss the best way forward.”
The OSCR has issued a direction to St Margaret’s, instructing it to amend its procedures and assessment criteria to meet the requirements of the Equality Act.
The agency has until April 22, 2013 to do so or risk losing its charitable status.
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Interesting juxtaposition of this article with statement from the Pope: “A Christian should not be afraid to stand up against society”. Well, let us all stand up in protest at this preposterous threat of “change or close”. As a social worker of 41 years’ standing (retired) I am more aware than many of the excellent work of this agency. The christian principles/beliefs followed by St Margaret’s Children & Family Centre are deeply rooted in its work, and many, many children and young people who have been successfully placed in substitute families can testify to this. Every possible source of support (legal/social) should be utilised to help ensure the continuation of this agency as presently constituted. (“Act justly, love mercy …and walk in the ways of our Lord and Saviour”). Prayerful support now essential for St Margaret’s.