An Australian prelate has condemned new adoption legislation to accommodate same-sex couples as against human rights and religious freedom.
Responding to news of planned reforms to adoption laws in the state of Victoria, Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne said the lack of exemptions for Catholic-backed organisations faced with same-sex couples wishing to adopt would place an intolerable burden on people of faith.
Accusing the Labour government of side-lining freedom of religion for the rights of minority groups, Archbishop Hart said the adoption move “shows the depths to which those who do not value freedom of religion are prepared to plumb in order to defeat it.”
On the issue of non-exemption for adoption agencies, the prelate went on: “Organisations, by definition, are made up of people. People have rights. If a worker at Catholic Care or any other religious adoption agency refuses to break their conscience by obeying this new legislation, they will feel the full weight of the law. Under [the Minister for Equality’s] analysis, their freedom of religion and conscience will mean nothing.’’
Archbishop Hart said the reform moves are the latest in an increasing number of challenges faced by people of faith in remaining true to their deeply held beliefs.
“Right now,” he said, “many people of faith are deeply concerned that freedom of religion is proving to be the weakling in these contests. Faced with almost any competing right, it simply is disregarded. This is remarkable, as freedom of religion and conscience is recognised as a fundamental right in every human rights document from the UN covenants to the Victorian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.’’
