THE CATHOLIC ADOPTION agency of the Archdiocese of Birmingham has dropped its appeal against a Charity Commission decision not to allow it to take steps to turn away gay couples as potential adopters.
Father Hudson’s Society launched a joint appeal before Christmas with Catholic Care of the Diocese of Leeds after the commission ruled they could not change their charitable objects to take advantage of a clause in new equality legislation that would permit them to discriminate against gay couples. The clause says charities can discriminate if explicitly permitted by their governing documents. The society withdrew its case after a directions hearing, according to Third Sector. Catholic Care’s appeal will proceed to a full hearing on May 13. Neither charity was willing to comment. The tribunal ruled in March that the charities would have to show the public benefit created by being permitted to discriminate.