Protecting Freedom of Religious Expression

(29 Nov 07 - RV) The Catholic Bishops’ of England and Wales and the Church of England have released a joint statement regarding the Government’s proposed amendment to a 1986 law which would create a new offence of incitement to hatred on grounds of sexual orientation.

The Churches affirm the importance of protecting people vulnerable to attack on grounds of their sexuality or gender identity.

But they also insist there is a need to balance protection of vulnerable groups with safeguards for freedom of expression”.

The statement says Christians engaged in teaching or preaching and those seeking to act in accord with Christian convictions need to be assured that the expression of strong opinions on marriage or sexuality will not be illegal.”

The statement comes as the Church is also dealing with sexual orientation legislation that is threatening the closure of Catholic adoption agencies, on the grounds that they discriminate against same sex couples.

Msgr Andrew Summersgill is general secretary of the Catholic bishops conference of England and Wales – he told Philippa Hitchen it’s vital to find a way of outlawing discrimination while at the same time protecting freedom of religious expression…