Your gift counts double until 5/31: $27,695 to go in our Easter Campaign. Please help now!

Legislative proposal could close all Catholic adoption agencies in US

CWN - June 01, 2011

A bill submitted to the US Congress could bring an end to the work of all Catholic adoption agencies in the US, by requiring agencies to place children in the households of homosexual couples.

The bill introduced by Democratic Congressman Pete Stark of California—and ironically named the “Every Child Deserves a Family Act”—would ban discrimination in adoption and foster-care placement. The bill has 52 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

Similar legislation at the local level has led to the closing of Catholic adoption agencies in Massachusetts, Illinois, and San Francisco.

Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus:

Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you!

Easter Campaign:
Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($27,695 to go):
$80,000.00 $52,304.70
35% 65%
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Show 3 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments
  • Posted by: Steve214 - Jun. 01, 2011 7:14 PM ET USA

    So, what ever happened to litigating such laws as 1st Amendment violations?

  • Posted by: DrJazz - Jun. 01, 2011 11:46 AM ET USA

    Another option in these scenarios is for the agencies to refuse to cooperate with unjust laws by continuing to operate as they have. It seems as though most Catholic adoption agencies, conferences and Bishops avoid even discussing this option. Why is that? It would be a powerful witness to our beliefs.

  • Posted by: DrJazz - Jun. 01, 2011 11:42 AM ET USA

    The article states: "The bill would affect any adoption or foster care agency that receives federal assistance or contracts with an entity that receives federal assistance." Although I do not know the intricacies of adoption law, it seems to me that step one is for Catholic adoption agencies to refuse all federal assistance and avoid contacting with entities that receive it. Closing Catholic adoption agencies should be the last possible option.

Catholic World News Email Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture

Recent Catholic Commentary

Making Sense of Society: The Ebook 2 hours ago
An exorcism? No, a blessing. You'd think reporters would know the difference. 5 hours ago
Learning from the sick, and from the death of a child May 17
The case for change in Irish abortion law: based on a framework of falsehood May 17
The Smell of the Sheep May 16

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Pope strongly supports call for reform in religious life CWN - May 8