Scotland: Hundreds in show of support for adoption agency

St Margaret’s Adoption Agency which is under threat of closure, gathered hundreds of supporters – including many children who have been adopted through the society – for its annual Mass and reception in St Andrew’s Cathedral on Sunday.

The St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society is currently facing a challenge to its existence following an intervention by OSCR, the Scottish Charities Regulator.

In a display of confidence in its future, supporters will hear of the Agency’s plans to move to new and better accommodation in Glasgow’s Newton Place so as to be able to open a new Family Centre and offer more services to families in the future.

Society Chairman, Fr Tom White said: “This bold and brave step which has been many years in the planning and execution marks a great leap forward for the society, where we can offer better educational and meeting resources for our families and other associated groups. Our hope is that with much improved resources we can offer more frequent and varied services for our families and also begin to develop events which are conceived and piloted by those who have an association with Saint Margaret's.”

St Margaret’s Board Member, Brian McGuigan, said the threat hanging over the society had galvanised the wider Catholic community. He said: “The council of management is intent on fighting this at every available opportunity as Saint Margaret's origins and identity are inseparable from the Catholic Church and her values and moral teaching in respect to marriage and the family.

“The ultimate irony is that apparently in the name of tolerance, societies such as Saint Margaret's are no longer to be tolerated. The reality is that the issue is not one about equality or diversity, but about freedom of religion and belief.”

One adoptive mother who has adopted her son through St Margaret’s said: “I am so sorry to see such a wonderful organisation being put through the mill. We would not have our family today were it not for St Margaret’s. We found them to be exceptionally caring and supportive through every step of the process. St Margaret’s have provided immense support to many families throughout the years and we will do all we can to help them survive.”

Earlier this year the charity regulator (OSCR) found that Saint Margaret's could no longer hold the view that the best interests of the child are served by having them placed preferentially with a mother and father within the stable union of marriage (which is in accordance with Catholic teaching) as this view was deemed to have a negative impact on cohabiting and same sex couples. Despite there being another 36 adoption agencies in Scotland, the regulator has deemed it important that Saint Margaret's effectively disassociate itself from the Church or face closure.

In September this year Saint Margaret's will seek to have this ruling overturned at the Scottish Charities Appeal Tribunal. If this is not resolved at this stage the case will move to the Court of Session.

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, Archbishop of Glasgow, said: “St Margaret’s is a treasure of the Church in Scotland. It does nothing but good work for children and families of all faiths and none. The whole Church is united in support for its work and we hope that common sense will prevail, and it will be allowed to continue to serve children in Scotland who need loving families.”