Victory For Religious Groups as Labour Gives Up on Equality Bill Clause Condemned by Pope

The Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 2/3/10 | Andrew Porter and Martin Beckford

[marshmallow]

The Government has backed down over a clause in the Equality Bill that was described as an “unjust” restriction on religious freedom by Pope Benedict XVI.

Ministers had tried to include a new definition of a priest in the flagship anti-discrimination law, but church leaders complained that it was far too narrow.

They said it would mean religious organisations could no longer opt out of equality rules, and so would face prosecution unless they went against their beliefs by employing homosexuals. Roman Catholics feared they would be forced to admit women to the priesthood for the first time.

In an unprecedented intervention in British politics, on Monday the Pope declared that Britain’s equality laws are imposing “unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs”.

The controversial clause was struck out of the legislation during committee stage in the House of Lords last week, but clergy feared Labour would try to put it back in before the law entered the statute book.

However the Equality Bill is seen by Gordon Brown's allies as Harriet Harman's bill and party startegists are anxious that contentious parts of the bill do not become a part of the election attack against Labour.

Mr Brown visted the Pope while he was Chancellor and has enjoyed good relations with the Vatican on issues such as world poverty. Number 10 also points out that there are many Catholic Labour MPs who wil be upset that the new Bill has provoked such strong recation from Rome.

Downing Street is anxious that relations remain cordial and has now indicated that they will drop the contentious parts of the Bill.

A Number 10 source said: "We are clear that these parts of the Equality Bill should not go forward. The Pope's intervention has been.........

[marshmallow]

Naomi Phillips, Head of Public Affairs at the British Humanist Association, said: “This latest attack on modern, liberal values is yet another reason why we will be opposing the Pope’s State visit to the UK later this year.”

Wait until Islam gets its hands on your "modern, liberal values". It won't be pretty and you'll cry out for Christianity but it will be too late.