Blair retreat on Catholic exemption

LONDON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair is backing away from a plan to exempt Catholic adoption agencies from a new law banning discrimination against gays.

Blair, faced with opposition in the Cabinet and among Labor Party back-benchers, said Thursday he will announce a new proposal next week, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, who heads the church in England and Wales, has said Catholic agencies might shut down if they were forced to consider homosexuals as adoptive parents. Anglican leaders have supported the Catholic Church in its bid for an exemption.

Blair said he personally believes the only consideration in adoption should be the well-being of the children involved.

"How do we protect the principle of ending discrimination against gay people and at the same time protect those vulnerable children who at the present time are being placed through, and after-care provided by, Catholic agencies, who everyone accepts do a great job with some of the most disturbed youngsters?" he asked.