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British Catholics must accept gay couple law: Adoption agencies may close

The Roman Catholic Church has lost the fight to opt out of new laws in England and Wales banning discrimination against gay couples, throwing its adoption agencies into a bind.

Despite protests from Catholics, who were supported by the Anglican Church of England in their campaign against the laws, British prime minister Tony Blair announced January 29 that there would be “no exemptions” for faith groups when the Equality Act comes into force April 6.