FOR all his appeal to his colleagues not to oppose plans by the church-backed Children's Society to allow homosexual couples to adopt children, East Lancashire vicar the Rev Rodney Nicholson is hardly likely to diminish the concern and controversy that this departure is sure to generate.

For in elucidating the society's decision in an article in the Blackburn diocesan newspaper, the See, Mr Nicholson admits that the ideal is for children to be brought up with a loving mother and father.

But he does provide food for thought for those who might otherwise automatically reject the concept of homosexuals as adoptive parents - when he explains that married couples are often unwilling to adopt older children or those with disabilities or behavioural problems whereas homosexuals might.

The question Mr Nicholson poses then, is a fair one - is it better for the otherwise-unwanted children to remain in residential care or for them to be brought up in a real homes, albeit by unconventional couples?

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