A Christian couple have reportedly been rejected as adoptive parents in Canada due to their beliefs about marriage and sexuality.
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), said the couple from Edmonton, Alberta, were told that their religious beliefs made them unable to help a child who “has sexual identity issues”.
The married couple, wanted to become adoptive parents because they are unable to conceive due to medical issues.
U-turn
They were initially approved to become adoptive parents by Catholic Social Services (CSS) in Edmonton, on behalf of Child and Family Services (CFS) – a government agency.
But almost six months into the process, the couple were informed that they had to answer further questions from CFS about their beliefs on sexuality.
In response, they reiterated their intention to treat the child “with unconditional love, respect, and compassion regardless of what the child chose to do, and regardless of the child’s sexual orientation or behaviour”.
Violation
But in an abrupt U-turn, CSS reversed its recommendation for adoption.
In a subsequent meeting, CFS told the couple it had deemed their religious beliefs to be a “rejection” of children identifying as LGBT.
CFS added that its stance was the “official position of the Alberta government”.
‘Grave consequences’
The JCCF has now filed a court application on behalf of the couple to have the decision reversed.
John Carpay, President of the JCCF, said that “making determinations about who is suitable to adopt on the basis of their sincere religious beliefs violates this couple’s right to religious freedom and equality under the law as guaranteed in the Charter and in Alberta’s own Bill of Rights and Human Rights Act.”
“If left to stand, this decision would have grave consequences for the freedoms of all Canadians, not to mention adverse consequences for the many children who will never be adopted if the government continues with this discrimination”, he added.
‘Totalitarian’
In Ontario in June, a Bill was passed which critics said would prevent parents who oppose gender ideology from adopting and fostering.
The Supporting Children, Youth and Families Act was passed by a vote of 63 to 23 by the Ontario Legislature. It was pushed through by Ontario’s lesbian Premier Kathleen Wynne.
Jack Fonseca, senior political strategist for Campaign Life Coalition, described the Bill as “totalitarian”.
He added that it is “a grave threat to Christians and all people of faith who have children, or who hope to grow their family through adoption”.