Vincent and Pauline Matherick: Face being struck off despite fostering 28 times
Posted on 10/23/2007 10:45:18 AM PDT by Stoat
As devoted foster parents, Vincent and Pauline Matherick have provided a stable family home for almost 30 vulnerable children.
But the couple's latest foster son is being taken away from them by social workers because they have refused to promote homosexuality.
They say that to do so would go against their Christian faith.
Vincent and Pauline Matherick: Face being struck off despite fostering 28 times
The 11-year-old boy, who has been in their care for two years, will be placed in a council hostel this week and the Mathericks will be given no more children to look after.
The devastated couple, who have three grown up children of their own, first became foster parents in 2001 and have since cared for 28 children at their home in Chard, Somerset.
Earlier this year, Somerset County Council's social services department asked them to sign a contract to implement Labour's new Sexual Orientation Regulations, part of the Equality Act 2006, which make discrimination on the grounds of sexuality illegal.
Officials told the couple they would be required to discuss same-sex relationships with children as young as 11 and tell them that gay partnerships were just as acceptable as heterosexual marriages.
They could also be required to take teenagers to gay association meetings.
When the Mathericks objected, they were told they would be taken off the register of foster parents if they refused to comply with the new rules.
The Mathericks have decided to resign rather than face the humiliation of being expelled.
Mr Matherick, a 65-year-old retired travel agent and a primary school governor, said: "I simply could not agree to do it because it is against my central beliefs.
"We have never discriminated against anybody but I cannot preach the benefits of homosexuality when I believe it is against the word of God.
Mrs Matherick, 61, said they had asked if they could continue looking after their foster son until he is found another permanent home, but officials refused and he will be placed in a council hostel on Friday.
She said: "He was very upset to begin with. We are all very close, but he's a mature young man and he's dealing with it."
The couple, who have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, are both ministers at the non-conformist South Chard Christian Church.
When they first started fostering they took in young single mothers and their babies. More recently they have been caring for children of primary school age.
Mr Matherick added: "It's terrible that we've been forced into this corner. It just should not happen.
"There are not enough foster carers around anyway without these rules.
"They were saying that we had to be prepared to talk about sexuality with 11-year-olds, which I don't think is appropriate anyway, but not only that, to be prepared to explain how gay people date.
"They said we would even have to take a teenager to gay association meetings. How can I do that when it's totally against what I believe?"
Religious campaigners say the couple are the latest victims of new equality laws which they say put gay rights above religious beliefs.
Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders have complained that the rules would force them to overturn long held beliefs.
The Mathericks are planning to fight their case in the courts with the backing of the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, which is backing Christian magistrate Andrew McClintock who resigned from the family courts in a row over gay adoption.
He says he was forced to resign because he was not allowed to opt out of cases where he might have to send a child to live with gay parents.
Mr McClintock lost an employment tribunal earlier this year but his appeal was heard in London this week and he is awaiting a ruling.
Somerset County Council's corporate director for children and young people, said: "No decision has been made about the de-registration of Mr and Mrs Matherick.
"The council is committed to promoting the interests of children and young people and welcomes foster carers from all backgrounds and faiths."
Religious campaigners say the couple are the latest victims of new equality laws which they say put gay rights above religious beliefs.
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Please say a prayer for Great Britain
ping
ping
“Officials told the couple they would be required to discuss same-sex relationships with children as young as 11 and tell them that gay partnerships were just as acceptable as heterosexual marriages.”
______
That’s the goal!
Why does the left obsess over sexualizing children?
Do they not realize the carnage that they will create by requiring this to be taught?
Brothers, do not forget for the liberals, Christians are to be supressed and homosexuals are heroes.
No wonder the UK is going down the loo....
Keeping kids out of religious homes is exactly what these social engineers want.
I think the smart thing to do is sign the statement, then continue to parent in the way you feel is best.
It’s because they want to have sex with them.
Why does the left worry about sexual politics at all when they should be worrying about their souls (most of them should, anyway..)!
Absolute madness.
You can’t worry about something you don’t have.
“Do they not realize the carnage that they will create by requiring this to be taught?”
Carnage is what they want. One needs social works to fix carnage and that means growth of government dependence.
It really is simple — Unfortunately all too obvious to anyone who thinks.
Disgusting that society gets destroyed in the liberal process.
Almost perfectly stated . . . except that it should not say "gay rights" but "pro-homosexual propaganda."
People of Faith such as these will most likely have a difficult time with such a plan, as it is dishonest, even though it would be done for a worthy goal.
Also, if a Government agency were to direct them to involve themselves in a specific homosexual oriented activity and they were to refuse, prosecution would be likely.
I don't get the impression that these good people are made of money, and so an extended incarceration coupled with a massive court challenge is probably not something that they would be able to pursue.
Liberalism is as big a threat as radical islam.
The Gaystapo Strikes Again!
Ayn Rand put this in its proper moral perspective when she pointed out something to the effect that a thief who wants the combination to your safe is not entitled to an honest response.
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