Vincent and Pauline Matherick, who have fostered 28 children, are having to resign because they refuse to teach their foster children that homosexuality is okay.
Earlier this week, the Mathericks were asked to sign a contract to implement new Sexual Orientation Regulations as part of the Equality Act 2006 which makes discrimination based on sexuality illegal. Under the agreement, they would be required to discuss homosexual relationships with children as young as 11 and tell them that such relationships are just as acceptable as heterosexual ones. They could even be required to take teenagers to gay association meetings. When the couple refused, they were told that they would be taken off register of foster parents. Rather than face the humiliation of expulsion, the Mathericks elected to resign. However, they are planning on taking their case to court with the help of the Lawyer's Christian Fellowship. 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." This travesty comes at a time when there is a severe shortage of volunteer foster parents. Despite research showing that moving a child from home to home is detremental to its welfare, some foster children are forced to move up to 3 times a year. In order to rectify the problem, another 8,000 volunteer foster homes would be needed. The 11 year old boy the couple had been looking after will be placed in a council hostel on Friday. Religious campaigners say Vincent and Pauline Matherick are the latest victims of an equality drive which puts gay rights above religious beliefs.
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