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1. This is a good decision. It is always appropriate to protect children from people living deviate, sinful lifestyles. Gay adoption is all about having access to children in order to corrupt them into the gay/lesbian lifestyle and agenda.

   Posted By: Michael Bernard

2. Michael: You have got to be kidding, please?
   How many gay people do you know? you say 'Gay adoption is all about having access to children in order to corrupt them into the gay/lesbian lifestyle and agenda.'
   Sexuality is not a choice (and if it were can you please explain to me why so many teenagers commit suicide over it?)
   If gay penguins adopt orphaned eggs, then why can't humans? Why are humans so special that we have to be the only animal group under which homosexuality cannot be a normal practice? If being 'gay' is so bad, then why is it so prevalent throughout MOST if not ALL animal species?
   I know 'gay' parents and they raise the most beautiful, kind and considerate people that you could ever imagine. And would you believe it, they have hetrosexual partners or are married with childern - what a surprise hey; who would have ever thought that would be the case?
   John
   

   Posted By: John Miller

3. Michael Bernard: Your comment is shortsighted and couldn't be further from the truth. I com from a family rife with abuse, especially sexual abuse. This did not corrupt me into its agenda!
   
   There are other REAL reasons why it is best for a child to have both a mother and father present.

   Posted By: not so blind

4. Interesting debate. Note your article changes between adoptive parent rights and foster carers, they are different actually. Anyway, capitalist behaving churches should consider were they take their funding from before pushing the line of Dr Pell: "Anti-discrimination laws should not be used to change how church agencies organise themselves." Whereas in fact church agencies take a lot of state funds to run their agencies and also run double standards in that they would, honourably so, accept a broad range of clients in the name of the gospel (or whichever are their inspired texts depending on the religion). That tax money comes from all tax payers, regardless of their creed, race or sexual orientation. God makes all people regardless of their creed, race or sexual orientation. I would think that if these potential foster carers or adoptive parents are good citizens then they could well be highly appropriate, available and capable. Also, one might suggest that either the media or Cardinal Pell be a little more careful on choosing language to discuss this situation. Discrimination described as “heading in the right direction”, does not give a very good message of the love and pastoral care of the shepherd (bishop). It is important to reflect with the love of Jesus about choosing the non-violent path. In Peace. Ben

   Posted By: Ben in Willoughby

5. John M: I know several gay people, have known many and have had a mate die from HIV/ Aids. I have been approached (assaulted) by gays who I believe, have relationships more characterised by lust than others; that is not to say that lustful heterosexual relationships are any better.
   In my experience homosexuality is manifested as a problem when sufferers choose to give in to their confusion, without any guidance, other than from the promiscuous gay lobby who want to sell this depravity as normal fun ... Mardi Gras to wit, but also any promiscuity, of which homosexuals are equal top of pile along side those reliant on pornography etc.
   Make no mistake ...homosexuals choose to behave badly.
   If many commit suicide because of that confusion, it is because despite the secular and gay lobby pushes to normalise their wrongful behaviour, there remains deep within, a sense that what they do, what they choose to act on, is wrong and sick.
   You'd be better off sending such troubled people to the church where tried and tested methods of helping folks deal with sin will be a lot more helpful.
   I cannot believe you compare humans with animals as though that somehow helps your argument. What choices have dulled your senses, your ability to reason?
   

   Posted By: Chris Saidou

6. Michael Bernard's comments are ill-informed and un-Christ-like. Can you imagine Jesus saying anything so stupid? I know of two same-sex families whose children are considerate, sensitive and balanced. The children are now adults, straight (not that it matters) and living normal, ordinary lives. Mr. Bernard should inform himself of the facts before making wild and unsubstantiated accusations.

   Posted By: Jeff Kevin

7. It is so sad to see how Religion is use to further justify bigotry of sorts; aren't homosexuals born of families?
   Michael Bernard: What the hell is the gay/lesbian lifestyle and agenda?
   Debauchery is rampant amongst us heterosexuals: just look at our world. So are rape, wars, paedophilia, and abuse against women and children - is that the ‘straight’ heterosexual lifestyle and agenda?
   Hate is not a family value.

   Posted By: an ordinary Catholic

8. Nobody appears to think about what Christ actually preached, which was about chastity; sex was for mariage only and a gift of God so that he could create another soul to eventually join Him in Heaven. Any other sex was sinful, even looking and giving way to the thought of desiring! We are now as bad as Sodom and Gomorrah and I wonder when the retribution will come?

   Posted By: Peter Couttie

9. It is so sad to see how Religion is use to further justify bigotry of sorts; aren't homosexuals born of families?
   Michael Bernard: What the hell is the gay/lesbian lifestyle and agenda?
   Debauchery is rampant amongst us heterosexuals, just look at our world- so is rape, wars, paedophilia, and abuse against women and children- is that the ‘straight’ heterosexual lifestyle and agenda?
   Hate is not a family value.

   Posted By: an ordinary Catholic

10. The debate here seems to be centred on "gay" couples and their "right" to adopt or foster children.
    Surely the only concern should be for the good of the child. As the vast majority of these children would be from dysfunctional families the best place for them is with a family of mother, father and other children.
    I am fed up with minority groups pushing their agenda on the rest of us and crying "discrimination" if others don't agree with them.
    God bless Michael and Chris for standing up for Christian values.

    Posted By: Pauline

11. A quick PS and thanks particularly for the sharing of 'an ordinary Catholic'. I just saw the headline in the Telegraph. A headline such as "Church welcomes gay bans" comes over as a very violent comment toward the many gay/lesbian/homosexual/transexual and transgender people in our society and actually is directly in breach of the teaching of the Catholic Church. Quoting here from part 3 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
    “2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.”
    One must be quite considered in this reflection that being a homosexual person does not speak at all of sexual acts, just as being heterosexual does.
    A fellow traveller, on the path to peace and harmony with God and all God’s creation. Ben

    Posted By: Ben in Willoughby

12. Dear Pauline: Those values you're commending are anti-Christian values. Christian values demand us to not judge others, but to love our neighbours as ourselves - heterosexual or homosexual.
    
    I am also sick of the alleged ‘majority’ groups using derogatory language as normative discourse and masking their prejudices under the veil of religious values, it is sickening.
    
    God is love, don’t bless bigotry and injustice in God’s name.
    
    
    
    Your sister in Christ,
    
    Judy

    Posted By: Judy L.

13. Peter Couttie: The retribution of which you speak will probably come in the form of sharia law. That seems to be an unfortunate but unavoidable (though temporary) step on the road to restored Christian values.

    Posted By: Lance Eccles

14. Judy: If you live by Christian values you surely would know that whilst Jesus loved all people including sinners, He did not condone the sin. After forgiving the sin He admonished "go and sin no more."
    It is not bigotry or being judgmental to love a person who is homosexual (or any other type of sinner) but not condone the sin and to believe that all Christians should live by Christian values otherwise they should not pretend to be Christian.

    Posted By: Pauline

15. To Ben in Willoughby: Just because the Church receives funding for various works,it does not mean that sexual morality has to be sacrificed! I accept that gay people are entitled to the same respect that the rest of us are.But to demand what belongs to the order of God and his Teachings cannot be compromised.It seems that people,especially the very LIBERAL Catholics,have re-written the commandments of God and have "graciously" freed the perverts,the paedophiles etc so much tthat they have given permission to them to do what they want.And these people make it their "MISSION"to constantly CRITICISE the Magisterium and those who are loyal to the teachings of Jesus.Jesus said to LOVE one another,not LUST after another.I suggest all these "rebel do-gooders"read the Gospels,especially the Sermon on the MOUNT". Compassion is good.OBEDIENCE to GOD'S WORD equally GOOD!

    Posted By: M.M.

16. I stand by my original comments as being informed, truthful and consistent with everything Christ and his true Church teaches.
    1. It is a good decision.
    2. The homosexual/lesbian lifestyle is deviant and sinful (and I do have friends and relatives who have same-sex attraction and practise chastity - so for many, the lifestyle is a choice).
    3. Children growing up with same-sex 'parents' will be vulnerable to believing that such lifestyles are 'normal' and acceptable Christian behaviour. Raising children to believe such is the sin of scandal.
    4. There is a gay and lesbian agenda, and that is to change people's attitudes to accept their behaviour as normal. It is not. The Church will never accept such, despite the 'agenda' having supporters within the Church.
    Catholics must not allow themselves to be verbally bullied and abused into conforming to the secular, politically-correct agenda. Isaiah warned to beware those who "call evil good, and good evil." Also, ignore the name-calling and the attempts to humiliate us for standing with Christ and his Church. Also, ignore comparisons with brute animals - humans have intelligence and free will!
    Give homeless and abused children loving homes with mother and father - this is the right of every person under the natural law. Unlike my critics, hate the sin and love the sinner. Don't love both! What would Christ say, some ask? He would tell the gay/lesbain the same thing he told the woman caught in adultery: "Go away and sin no more."

    Posted By: Michael Bernard

17. The Catholic Church teaches that sex outside of marriage is wrong. I find it disturbing that 'catholics' who comment on this site simply state their opinion, their beliefs, their perspectives... Catholicism/Christianity by definition assumes some common core beliefs held in common... there are too many people who call themselves Catholic who don't agree with the moral teaching of the Church. (nor the Pope, nor the Bishops...) What makes you Catholic?
    Scriptures teaches us clearly that there are sexual sins, and homosexual practices are sinful. Sex outside marriage is also a sin. It is not 'mercy' or 'kindness' to not proclaim the truth, but simply change the 'truth' by saying, 'that is not sinful'. Living in a state of sin means that you are not living in the fullness of life that Jesus promised us.
    Allowing homosexual couples to adopt children places these children in a setting where a sinful behaviour is portrayed as 'normal'... A Christian child cannot be raised in such an 'untruthful' environment.
    

    Posted By: c.d.

18. The issue of adults and their right to live any lifestyle they choose has obviously taken over from the most important matter in these cases - the children.
    Gender does matter for children and that is the reason there is so much opposition to same sex couples wanting their rights to have children when they don't ever consider how important gender is for the children.
    Adults have no right to a child, they offer their lives for the sake of a child, of children. And all the best research says it is best for a child to be raised with a gender balance, male and female parents.
    I ask the same sex couples and their supporters to discuss these matters before insisting on 'their' rights.

    Posted By: Fr Mick Mac Andrew Bombala-Delegate NSW

19. Judy L: No, the foisting of the gross untruth that the faux marriage of two persons of the same gender is actually a marriage is utterly incompatible with the Gospel.
    This issue has little to do with whether individual persons have inclinations contra naturam. It is whether those who demand that their choice to embrace and push a lifestyle which asserts that it is in fact not contra naturam can demand to be considered as adoptive parents.
    The secular law may have caved into this small but extremely influential lobby group but the Church's teaching cannot admit this fantasy.

    Posted By: Peter

20. A child is suppose to have a loving mother and a loving father. When circumstance deprive a child of this, society is obligated to try and provided it. No couple has a "right" to possess a child. Society is obliged to put the child's interests first.

    Posted By: Chris Howard

21. If Mr Michael Bernard (and Cardinal Pell) are right, we must next Monday, and not a day later, purge all of our dedicated, hardworking, award winning Catholic homosexual teachers from all of our schools "to protect children from people living deviate, sinful lifestyles". However, I estimate our teacher population would drop by about 38%!

    Posted By: Mike B

22. Christianity holds that sexual relations should be restricted to a man and a woman inside marriage; aren’t those who want to stop Christians upholding their own doctrine displaying intolerance?
    Gay activists are now perpetrating a mirror image of the intolerance once shown to them.
    

    Posted By: tolerance???

23. The problem here seems to be a confusion, among commentators, of two distinct problems. We are required to love every human being, no matter what their dispositions might be. However, we are not required to endorse everything that our neighbours do. Further, the fact that some act is objectively wrong is not affected by whether or not we have natural dispositions towards it. Indeed, virtue in many cases requires going against our natural inclinations (which are far from being clearly given in the way some commentators are implying: We are rational human beings, not collections of inclinations): Kleptomania doesn't justify stealing. The universal inclination to deceit doesn't justify lying. The universal inclination to overeat doesn't justify gluttony. All of that said, human beings are human beings, whatever their inclinations are, and are therefore to be respected as such.
    All that aside however, here there is an even deeper problem. People don't have "rights" to a child, or to adoption. Children should, as far as possible, be brought up within the context of a family, and should not be brought up to regard something as morally right which is not, for their own sakes.

    Posted By: Adeodatus

24. This is a sad day. Sad to see so much misunderstanding and hatred in the world and even in the church. Haven't times changed? Why are Christians so judgemental and full of hate? We should all look at ourselves and see if we are perfect or at least doing the best we can before throwing so many stones stopping others from enjoying God's and our beautiful world! It would be a much better place if we did.

    Posted By: BJ

25. I prefer children being brought up in a happy functional gay family than in a abusive, straight Centrelink situation. Love is all that matters.

    Posted By: Arqui

26. I'm curious as to where these homosexual apologists will draw the line on sexuality, if any line is to be drawn at all. Can it not equally be considered bigoted and hateful to be vehemently opposed to pedophilia in the Church? Cannot any person who practises an alternative sexual lifestyle (and there are many) also equally claim that Catholics should not judge, cast the first stone, etc. etc. etc. Or do gays and lesbians think they alone should be permitted to hold a privileged position in the Church in this respect?

    Posted By: Nathan Socci

27. The question here is not whether gay adoption is right or wrong (we can infer from Scripture and Tradition and Natural Law what the answer to that is); the question is whether a religious organisation should be allowed to uphold its core religious beliefs even if they discriminate against minority groups in the community.

    Posted By: Kyle

28. Every time any issue comes up regarding gays we have those who blindly support them and those who quite rightly state Church teaching. This is not a simple matter and the fact that it causes such debate every time would indicate that the gay lifestyle is wrong, it has nothing to do with hate or bigotry on the part of those who oppose it. Those who support gays are in opposition to Catholic teaching therefore can not call themselves Catholics.

    Posted By: Markodan

29. Michael Bernard: How on Earth is it possible for gay and lesbian couples to "corrupt them into the gay/lesbian lifestyle" when every single gay and lesbian person was raised in a heterosexual home, taught by largely heterosexual teachers and grew up watching tv and movies dominated by heterosexual messages?
    By definition, heterosexuals do not enjoy having sex with people of the same sex and no amount of convincing is going to change that.

    Posted By: Andrew

30. The law of love is above all laws. Children must be given love and supported by love above all else. Everything else is secondary and ideological, regardless of their station in life, gender or sexuality- if they are adopted, orphaned, surrogated, and reared by anyone. Nothing is guaranteed.

    Posted By: God loves

31. Dear Pauline: “Jesus loved all people including sinners”, may I correct you to say: all people are sinners, we’re all sinners, he did not label some as, and some as not.
    A leper was considered the filthiest of ‘Sinners’, but what is the sin in being a leper?
    To touch a Samaritan woman in Jesus’ times, what is the sin in that?
    In healing a person on the Sabbath or to wear 2 different fabrics in one garment, that too was a great sin punishable by death.
    Loving God above all else and loving our neighbours as we love ourself are the only 2 laws that summarizes all Jesus’ teachings. Those who love and practice the ‘law’ and the ‘tradition’ perfectly were the same one who killed Jesus, the same people that Jesus ask to repent, their sense of sin was quite different from Jesus’.
    What are your Christian values?
    Do they teach us to love our neighbour as we love ourselves?
    Do they ask us to love God above our ‘laws’ and ‘traditions’?
    Do they ask us to love our real or perceive enemies and to help those and give our worldly possessions to those who hate us?
    Do they ask us to love even unto death with perfect non-violence, without an inch of wanting to hurt, hate, intimidate, dominate, demonize, prejudice or marginalise another, to see all people as our sisters and brothers in the image of Jesus Christ?
    Lots to think about, isn’t there?
    - Judy

    Posted By: Judy L.

32. The heart of Jesus. My reflection is very much a prayerful one contemplating the heart of Jesus' response to these issues and discussion.
    We are fortunate to have space here to share our faith and reflect together. Hopefully in a way that leads us closer to God and the Kingdom.
    I read through these responses reflectively. My experience of humankind is that not every one is out there engaging in promiscuity, paedophilia and debauchery and in fact that most people are celibate. The only paedophiles I have known have been priests and politicians and one teacher’s aid. Only one of those attested to be gay.
    I only know of them through having counselled those who have been abused by them and survived, though one young person suicided. I have encountered many homosexual people of all ages throughout my life. Recently while in emergency and hospital care, I might guess that half of the staff who attended to me were quite possibly homosexual. I was not molested or perved on, and in fact the level of medical care I received appeared to be to the highest standard. Like many other reader, I have purchased clothing, had medical and dental care, attended restaurants or cafés run homosexual persons. I know of 5 homosexual neighbours in the block of 18 flats that I live in, I know approximately 20 clergy and religious who are homosexual. I also know countless heterosexual persons. Apart from the few listed above, as far as I know all of these could be celibate and I know of none of them (homosexual or heterosexual) who are perverts or paedophiles (again apart from those listed above). I suppose one of the challenges of the gospels is that of being people of hope, the gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ and taking up daily cross no matter how many times there are stumblings is the call to which I try and follow.
    In the words of St Sir Thomas Moore: “Let us pray for each other that we may meet merrily in heaven.” I guess that’s we are all aspiring to and with our faith sharing and strengthening and encouraging and caring and loving of our neighbour we will hopefully be welcomed one day to paradise. In peace as a fellow traveller. Ben in Willoughby

    Posted By: Ben in Willoughby

33. To Mike B: I am right because I reflect Catholic teaching which is infallible when teaching on faith and morals. Having worked in Catholic education for 20 years (from infants to University level) your comment that only 38% of teachers are heterosexual is patent nonsense. Where is your evidence-based research? Have you ever worked in a Catholic school or university? Or is it just a figure pulled out of the air to provide baseless back-up for non-Catholic arguments?

    Posted By: Michael Bernard

34. Michael Bernard: A reflection of Catholic teachings also allowed the Irish bombers to blow people up. Surely they think they're right, too.

    Posted By: Oxymoronic

35. Let's cut to the chase here and wonder where the children for adoption are coming from.
    Adoption is a dirty word and a dirty act. Adoption means removing the child from its natural surroundings, be it parents or country and placing it in an alien invironment.
    Not many children come out of adoption whole be it with gay parents or whatever. Adoption is unnatural.
    Why do these people want a child? Just because they think they can have one.
    Gays are not different to hetrosexual. They just want what they can't have naturally. No one has the right to child that they did not give birth to.

    Posted By: Jim

36. Ben in Willoughby: Actually, the instance of sexual abuse is quite high amongst numerous groups including teachers and (apparently) orthodox Jews in New York. See in particular Archbishop Dolan's recent complaint about the New York Times (http://www.archny.org/news-events/columns-and-blogs/blog---the-gospel-in-the-digital-age/index.cfm?i=14042)
    Secondly, "St" normally cancels out earthly titles such as Sir.
    All of that aside, the point here is not that (the inclination) homosexuality is the worst of sins (it is not), but simply that a practising homosexual couple does not have a "right" (nobody does, for that matter) to a child, nor to adopt one. The second point is that when a child is put out to adoption, the utmost effort should be taken to ensure a proper upbringing. Such cannot be provided in the Christian perspective by someone who is living an objectively disordered life. A gay couple shouldn't be allowed to adopt a child for the same reason that a couple one or both of whom have an eating disorder, or are financially insolvent, or suffer from a major addiction, or a mental health problem, shouldn't be able to adopt one. Note that none of the groups I have mentioned should be discriminated against either.

    Posted By: Adeodatus

37. Nathan Socci: "I'm curious as to where these homosexual apologists will draw the line on sexuality, if any line is to be drawn at all. Can it not equally be considered bigoted and hateful to be vehemently opposed to pedophilia in the Church?"
    I am troubled that you would even ask such a question, but it is a very simple line to be drawn: consent.
    Children do not want to have sexual relationships with adults - no consent.
    Homosexuals do want to have sexual relationships with each other - consent.
    And before you bring up incest there are very clear genetic consequences for the products of incestuous couplings that do not exist in the case of lesbian and homosexual couplings.
    And before you bring up bestiality - animals cannot consent either!

    Posted By: Andrew

38. It is actually wrong to discriminate by preferring someone over someone else because of their sexuality just because they are gay and for no other reason. Being gay is healthy and not an illness. But its not a choice - its just the way you are. Im sure god would allow gay people to adopt. Its the church that wont. It is very clear that because someone is gay doesnt mean they will harm a child in any way. On the contrary a family unit can be formed and maintained to provide an excellent environment to raise a child. Many of the comments here say otherwise based on uneducated and unchristian views and hatred of the world - all very unnecessary. From the view of the child they would definately benefit from such a healthy environment albeit different from the majority - but whats wrong with that. May be its time for the church to reassess its hardcore rules imposed on the masses before more leave and lose their connection with god. I plead for the church to be more inclusive, not to impose so much hatred and guilt, not to make it so difficult to be a normal person in society. A gay person is normal in society but is treated as an outcast in the church's eyes and therefore in the eyes of those who chose to frown on others who are different through no fault of their own, but by god's design. Really what is the real reason why gay people cant adopt ? God didnt say gays cant - so why should the church? Who is right god or the church???

    Posted By: BJ

39. Thanks,Adeodatus, for your comments. It is possible that my last posting may have been misread so I unreservedly apologise if I implied that those mentioned are the only paedophiles. I know many hundreds of priest, religious men and women, teachers and health care workers and some politicians. Those examples are just from my direct involvement.
    Thank you also for the more pleasant and respectful tones of the latter postings.
    "If all Christians acted like Christ, the whole world would be Christian." - Mahatma Gandhi
    I note your feedback re adoption and of course I respect your views as I respect you. It’s good that we are able to share in this forum of mutual respect. It’s oft been said not to keep the faith but to share it and perhaps this is one of those forums.
    Thankfully young people are so resilient. I survived a lot of physical and some emotional abuse at the hands of my parents, but I live to tell the story, am healed and offer compassion and some direction to others whose story has had some rough times. I guess that’s compassion.
    Thanks again. A fellow traveller in the Kingdom. Ben in Willoughby

    Posted By: Ben in Willoughby with thanks

40. So I presume that sexual relations between two consenting minors is fine, unless by "consent" you mean adult consent. In which case exceptions to the consent rule obviously do apply - which of course is exactly what the Catholic Church also teaches.

    Posted By: Nathan Socci

41. To Michael Bernard: sorry, sorry, sorry, and you are right there are no gays in our schools.... not one lesbian nun, homosexual priest, homosexual brother, or homosexual lay person has ever been a teacher or Administrator in our schools. Furthermore, sexual abuse by the clergy never happened, and Cardinal Pell is a not a closet punter, nor is Bart Cummings a miracle worker. But he just might be infallible - my moneys on Bart not you!

    Posted By: Mike B

42. I agree with Michael Bernard. It is clear that some of the comments below display an abominable and complete ignorance of the natural law. If ever there were an self-evident truth, it is surely that man and woman are complementary and that a child has a right to be brought up within the context of that complementarity.
    Some of the "commentators" below mistake compassion or "tolerance" for the person with toleraance for their sexual deviance. Love...and Truth..go together. Wasn't it Somebody who said "Your sins are forgiven. Go now and sin no more..."

    Posted By: Aquinas

43. Children can't consent because you have said they can't consent. What magically happens to them when they turn a certain age (18 say), so that suddenly they can consent?
    Secondly, as to animals, applying "consent" to them positively or negatively is simply meaningless. So, by extension, positively or negatively validating sexual activity with animals based on a theory of consent is meaningless unless one also has a particular theory of sex related to human nature.
    If one has such a theory, then linking the legitimacy of sexual activity to the gender relations of human beings is quite valid. I think the social definition of kinds of permissible sexual activity is valid, based on the social nature of human beings. But if one were to say that certain kinds of restriction are no longer permissible because sexual activity is "private", it becomes *much* more difficult to maintain any standards at all. Thus, the whole argument legitimizing homosexual activity is fundamentally flawed.

    Posted By: Junius

44. It is fortunate that we live in a Western society in which the extreme ignorance of the dwindling dogmatic religious minority is slowly and irrevocably being ignored.
    In case some of the homophobes on this site didn't realise, there are already same sex parents who are loving parents, many of them. Actual families getting on with a loving life irrespective of the hatred expressed by some.Some of the vicious comments on this thread merely discredit the integrity of christianity rather than prove any point of dogmaticism.
    Parenthood is not something based upon same sex or other sex orientation. Only the wierdness of those that wish to legitimate their ingrained prejudices with religious justifications qualify parenthood with sexual orientation.
    I can only wonder at the quality of life that goes on in such families dominated by some of the hate-mongering expressed here in regards to this utterly peripheral issue.

    Posted By: Mark

45. Children have a right to be raised by their natural parents. If for some reason this cannot happen, the children should be placed with a competent family that best resembles the children’s natural parents. On this point, same sex couples fail the test.
    If more Gays were focused on the rights of children instead of their own egos they might start to see the obvious - it's not all about them.

    Posted By: Colin

46. Jim, I wonder if you have the faintest idea what you are talking about?
    Do you know any adopted children or families? Have you read anything written by them?
    Or have you just swallowed a large dose of quasi-contemprorary pyscho-socio-babble?
    And I wonder why so many of the commenters who obviously reject the Church's fundamental teachings on morality bother to read this site? Do they like a veneer of respectable (in the current zeitgeist) Christianity, or should that be pseudo-Christian humanistic determinism?

    Posted By: Peter

47. One 'lifestyle' choice excludes another.
    Or to put it another way, 'you cannot have your cake and eat it too'.
    Basing legislation upon breaking life's commonsense truisms is part of today's society's psychopathology. As such legislators should refuse to give in to hostile agents of regressive change.

    Posted By: Michael Webb

48. This is a quote from Michael Kirby a distinguished judge of the High Court of Australia on potential change in the Catholic Church: "Rome will not change until a Pope comes along and says that the old regime is over. In that last absolute monarchy, the Roman Catholic Church, when a pope eventually says this, the entire shabby and nasty attitudes to gay people will disappear overnight. And then,as with the apology to Galeleo, the apology for the Inquisition and the apoplogy to abused children, we will see the Christian churches giving a whole-hearted apology to gay people. I hope to live to see it. But it will certainly come. Science will make all these predictions come to pass. Just as earlier the world's relgions had to accept that the Universe was not literally created in 7 days. It would be sad if it were not so shocking that worldwide wrongs and violence continue to be done to people on the basis of codes of behaviour written in ignorance millennia before Alfred Kinsey and his successors revealed scientific thruth about sexual minorities."
    As I said here before it is sad comments are based on hatred. I too hope to be alive when this change happens to see the apology given by the church to gay people.

    Posted By: BJ

49. Peter: I am adopted. I know personally what adoption does to a child. Adoption is to suit the adults, not the child.

    Posted By: Jim

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   The St Vincent de Paul Society is calling for fairness and compassion in dealing with asylum seekers and urged for a "humanitarian position" on the matter

3. St Luke's eConference draws prison inmates, international participants

   Prisoners in Sydney's Long Bay and Silverwater prisons joined thousands of people from across Australia and as far away as Rome, Britain, the US and Ireland yesterday to learn more about the Gospel of Luke in an eConference.

4. Cups King prays for win at racing Mass

   Emerging from the annual racing fraternity Mass at St Francis' Catholic church in Lonsdale St, Melbourne yesterday, Val Cummings and husband Cups King Bart Cummings said they were praying for another winner on race day.

5. Mosman dog lovers welcome St Francis of Assisi statue idea

   Dog owners angry at their pets being kept away from Mosman's cafes welcomed a council idea to erect a statue of St Francis of Assisi in Mosman Square as a tribute to local pets and pet loving locals.