Decision on catholic adoption agencies heralds new kind of civility

10.36.02am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 30th Jan 2007

Commenting on the remarks of Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor who complained about the state creating a new kind of morality by preventing Catholic adoption agencies from discriminating against gay and lesbian potential adoptive parents, Dr Evan Harris MP, an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society, said,

"What we are doing is seeking a create a new kind of civility, where public services and public functions are delivered free from harassment, proselytising and unfair discrimination."

Dr Harris, Liberal Democrat member of the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights, added:

"The cardinal is free to impose his own view of morality in his private life, and those of his followers, and in the religious practices of the church; but not when seeking to exercise public functions or basic social services.

"We all admire the Good Samaritan of the parable, but the days of the "Discriminating Samaritan" should be brought to a close"