Monday, February 28, 2011

Christian couple face foster ruling over views on homosexuality

Eunice and Owen Johns, 62 and 65, said issues were raised over their suitability as foster carers after they told social workers they could not tell a child a homosexual lifestyle was acceptable.

The Pentecostal Christian couple from Derby had applied to Derby City Council to be respite carers.

But at a hearing last year, two High Court judges, sitting at Nottingham Crown Court, heard the couple withdrew their application after a social worker expressed concerns over their attitudes towards homosexuality.

At the hearing of the case, the couple's lawyer Paul Diamond told the court the couple were ''doomed not to be approved'', which was why they agreed with Derby City Council to seek clarification of the law from the High Court.

He said: ''I will be submitting that the promotion of values is something that the court should be protecting and promoting, especially when these religious values are recognised as giving a moral framework to values in our country.

''No-one is disputing that the duty of every public authority is to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child.''

Mr Diamond said it would not be ''sensible'' to place an adolescent practising homosexuality in a familial relationship that was disapproving.

''Likewise, religion or moral values should not be singled out for this consideration.''

The case, thought to be the first of its kind, has been described by Christian lawyers as vital for Christian freedoms.

Mr Diamond said the couple, who had fostered 15 children in the past, wanted to be respite carers for short-term placements for a single child between five and 10.

He said: ''They say they would offer a secure and loving home relationship to a young child whose family are unable to cope and need a short break.''

Derby City Council has said previously its first duty was to the children in its care, some of whom are very vulnerable.

A spokeswoman said the council welcomed applications from people wishing to be foster carers but added that not everyone who applied was accepted, for a variety of reasons.

Lord Justice Munby and Mr Justice Beatson will give a ruling at the High Court in London today at 2pm.

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