A married couple rejected as adoptive parents due to their beliefs about marriage and sexuality, have finally had their application approved.
The Christians had previously been told their religious beliefs made them unable to help a child who has “sexual identity issues”.
But in a belated U-turn, Alberta Children’s Services has now written to say that “the initial decision is rescinded” and the couple’s application for adoption “is now approved”.
Violation
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) had filed a court application to overturn the previous decision.
John Carpay, President of the JCCF, said the decision violated “all Canadians’ right to religious freedom and equality under the law”.
“We are pleased that Alberta Child and Family Services has recognised it was wrong to deny this couple’s adoption application”, he added.
‘Unconditional love’
The couple want to become adoptive parents because they are unable to conceive.
Their Christian beliefs had previously been deemed by Edmonton’s Child and Family Services (CFS) – a government agency – to be a “rejection” of children identifying as LGBT.
This was despite the couple telling the CFS of their intention to treat a prospective 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”.
‘Totalitarian’
Elsewhere in Canada, a Bill was passed last year in Ontario 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, after being pushed through by Ontario’s 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”.