In Friday's ruling, Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Service was permitted to work exclusively with Christian caregivers, however, the married couples seeking to adopt can't be exclusively heterosexual.

Simon Calvert with The Christian Institute, which is representing Cornerstone said, "What the court has done today, in the name of opposing discrimination, is actually to support discrimination by a powerful state regulator against a small voluntary group."

He continued, "This shocking defence of state over-reach in religious matters fundamentally misunderstands the nature of Christianity."

The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) downgraded Cornerstone from "good" to "requires improvement" in 2019 after accusing the agency of discriminating against LGBT couples.

During a High Court hearing in July 2020, Justice Julian Knowles said the agency "must change its recruitment policy to allow gay men and lesbians who are evangelical Christians to apply to become prospective foster parents, and it cannot lawfully refuse to do so."

Cornerstone disputed the order, stating that its refusal to place children with same-sex couples was justified based on its religious freedoms.

Additionally, the agency's counsel at the time, Aidan O'Neill, argued that a heterosexual marriage embodies Christianity. "You cannot be an evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is one which endorses same-sex activities," he stated.

Following the latest ruling, Pam Birtle, CEO of Cornerstone, said in a statement that she was "disappointed" but that the agency had already "won more than it had lost."

"We are convinced that equality law protects our ability to operate in a distinctively evangelical way," Birtle said. "For the law to do any less would be a breach of human rights and a denial of the values of a liberal democracy."

She continued, "I do this work because I believe in it with all my heart. I was in the care system myself as a teenager and have been a social worker, foster caretaker and adopter over the last 40 years. I believe we are called by God Himself to show the love of Christ to all people, including people who are LGBT, through doing this work in a uniquely Christian way."

Birtle concluded her statement by asking Christians to pray for Cornerstone as it moves forward in the appeal process.

"We invite Christians to join us in praying that a better accommodation will be found that allows evangelicals to play their full part in British public life without unjust restrictions being imposed on them." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'United Saints of America': 'Fighter' Singer Jon Kahn, and Nashville Hit-Maker Michael Farren Release Patriotic Anthem Ahead of America's 250

Famous TikTok Tarot Card Reader Finds Jesus, Deletes All Occult Content (Video)

Muslims Massacre 22 More Christians in Nigeria, Including a Pastor

Sweden Takes Girls from Christian Parents, Won't Return Them Citing Church Attendance as 'Extremism' (Video)

Energy Secretary Issues Emergency Orders to Bolster Mid-Atlantic Power Grid Amid Heat Wave Risks

Here's How Fauci Can Still Face Prosecution Despite His Pardon

President Trump Announces GOP to Host First-Ever Midterm Convention in Dallas

Tennessee Congressman Introduces Bill to Ban 'Birthright Tourism'

5 Taxpayer Wins from Vice President Vance's Fraud-Fighting Task Force

250 Reasons Why We Love America

Stories of Heroism and Miracles from the Devastation in Venezuela, Shared on Social Media

Enemies Within: The Threat of Communism to America

Man Taken into Custody in Somalia for Role in Huge MN Fraud Scheme

Supreme Court Decision Sparks Urgent Calls to Pass SAVE America Act

Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship in Blow to Trump Immigration Enforcement

Supreme Court Rules on State Laws Excluding Men From Women's Sports

America 250: Freedom Trucks Travel across US Celebrating American History

Lowest Gas Prices Are in States with Republican Governors, Legislatures: Report

MLB's Texas Rangers Shun 'Pride Night,' Host 'Faith and Family Night' Instead

Resolution to Preserve Daughters of the American Revolution for Women Only Is Defeated