A majority of Roman Catholic adoption agencies have cut their ties with the Church rather than defy gay equality laws.Five agencies have declared themselves independent - and some have changed their names - to comply with laws that say they must allow homosexual couples to adopt children.
The retreat ends decades in which the adoption charities have worked in the name of the Catholic Church with support from dioceses, clergy and congregations.
The decision to end the formal connection with the Church follows a deadline set by the Government for charities to comply with the 2007 Sexual Orientation Regulations. These laid down that no organisation or company may discriminate against gays.
As a result the adoption agencies were torn between loyalty to Catholic teaching, which forbids any recognition of homosexual partnerships, and the law.
The departure of the charities from the fold of the Church comes at a time of increasing concern among both Catholic and Anglican leaders over growing state intolerance of Christianity.
The rights of faith schools linked to both churches are under pressure, and senior clerics are anxious about the frequency of attempts to prevent Christians from talking about their beliefs.
The five charities which have broken their official links with the Catholic Church are the Catholic Children's Society in the South of England, now the Cabrini Children's Society; Catholic Caring Services in Lancaster, now Caritas Care; the St David's Children Society in Wales; the St Francis' Children's Society in Northampton; and the Catholic Children's Society in Nottingham, which now calls its adoption arm Families Are Best.
Dr Kevin Fitzpatrick of the St David's Children Society said: 'These changes are naturally tinged with sadness at the end of a longstanding relationship, but the board of trustees is determined to make the transition as smoothly as possible.
'It is essential that our work evolves for those children who are currently looked after to have the joy and security of family life as soon as possible.'
Catholic adoption charities are estimated to accept around £10 million from the state each year, mostly from local authorities. That money would cease to flow if agencies chose to ignore gay rights law.
A number continue to rely on support from churches and congregations. Although one - Catholic Caring Services - has acknowledged a dispute with Bishop of Lancaster Patrick O'Donoghue, most have retained close relations with diocesan officials and priests and accept regular donations from churches.
Four agencies have stood out against the equality law. One, Catholic Care in Leeds, said in 2007 that it would stop its adoption service and cease trying to find new families for children in care.
Three others, including the Catholic Children's Society, Westminster, are challenging the law in a charities tribunal case. They are asking for the right to state in their constitutions that they will place children for adoption only with married couples.
The Catholic adoption agencies have a better record in helping children than local authorities or state-backed agencies.
An independent report compiled two years ago said that although they find homes for the most difficult children, only seven per cent of their placements fail compared to 20 per cent among all adoption agencies.
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(Source: DMUK)