Christians have expressed their support for the last Catholic adoption agency in England as it continues its legal battle to retain its Catholic ethos.

Catholic Care, which operates in the Diocese of Leeds, has decided to appeal a ruling handed down by a tribunal last month stating that it must consider homosexual couples alongside heterosexual couples when considering where to place children.

The charity says it should be allowed to run according to Catholic beliefs, which declare homosexuality to be a sin, and have the right to refuse to place children with homosexuals.

It argues that being forced to offer its services to homosexuals will put the charity at significant risk of financial difficulty as most of its donors are Catholics.

Benjamin James, the lawyer representing Catholic Care, believes the judgement against Catholic Care is erroneous as the Equality Act 2010 allows for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation if it is 'a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim'.

James stated that the charity may have been able to accept the ruling had it been given a clear explanation of how this exemption could and could not be applied, but it has yet to receive any such explanation.

Popular anonymous blogger Archbishop Cranmer said it was absurd to claim that the charity's Catholic ethos was discriminating against homosexuals when it only arranges five adoptions a year.

"When the state determines to outlaw centuries of orthodox belief and practice on the basis of 'equality', there is no logical end to what the state may impose upon believers,” he wrote.

Andrea Minichiello Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, welcomed the news of Catholic Care’s appeal.

She said: “At a time when many are being cowed into submission by the politically correct lobby, it is a breath of fresh air to hear of this charity’s continued stand against intolerance.”