U.K. Couple
Forced to Give Up Foster Child Over Homophobic Views

A Christian couple in the United Kingdom who have taken in 28 children were forced to give up foster parenting after they refused to show support of homosexuality, according to an article in The Daily Telegraph of London.

Social services officials told Vincent Matherick, 65, and his wife, Pauline, 61, that they had to abide by legislation requiring them to treat homosexuality and heterosexuality equally, which could include taking children to gay support groups if they inquired about homosexuality. The Mathericks said they would neither support nor criticize homosexuality but that they would not actively promote it because it conflicted with their religious beliefs. Their decision prompted officials to move their 11-year-old foster child to a new location.

"We have never discriminated against anybody, but I cannot promote homosexuality when I believe it is against the word of God," Vincent Matherick, a minister and elementary school administrator, told The Daily Telegraph. "It's terrible that we've been forced into this corner."

The Mathericks have looked after 28 children through Somerset County Council's social services department. The couple has three children of their own, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

The law, enacted earlier this year, forbids suppliers of goods and services to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation. The rule extends to foster care. (The Advocate)