Sunday, June 07, 2009

Catholic mother launches legal battle after son placed with gay foster parents

The mother of a 10-year-old Catholic boy has launched a legal battle after a council placed him with homosexual foster carers.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has told friends she is worried about the environment in which her son will grow up in, and would rather see him fostered by a man and a woman.

The child, who attends a faith school and is due to take his First Communion soon, is due to arrive tomorrow at his new foster home, a hotel in Brighton run by a middle-aged male couple.

Described as "bright and lively", he was placed in care a year ago by Brighton and Hove Council after his mother had a mental breakdown, suffering from an abusive marriage.

The Thomas More Legal Centre, a Catholic legal charity, are representing the mother, who wants to see him placed with a family that reflects traditional Catholic values.

Neil Addison, director of the centre, said: "We are advising her on her legal options and seeking to resolve the matter with the council by agreement."

The woman's parish priest said: "This isn't about a gay couple in a private home, this is about a gay couple running a hotel where they also live, where they cannot restrict who the child is going to meet. That's my anxiety."

Although the mother would not talk directly, a fellow parishioner said: "She knows she is unwell and cannot cope with looking after him. All she wants is for him to be raised in a regular family atmosphere, by a man and a woman.

"She would prefer a Catholic couple, but if that is not possible, at least a heterosexual one. But social services have given her no choice. She cannot understand how he can be looked after by two men she's never met.

"Her belief is that they could encourage him into a lifestyle that is against her religious beliefs."

The council, which has one of the highest rates of gay adopting and fostering in Britain, has told the mother the new foster parents are experienced and fully qualified.

A spokesman however declined to comment, saying: "We will not comment on any issue relating to the welfare of a child in the care of the council."
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Source (TTUK)

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