Catholic Social Services splits from Illinois diocese, will offer same-sex adoptions
November 11, 2011
Pledging to adhere to state legislation requiring equal treatment for same-sex couples in adoption and foster-care services, Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois is separating from the Diocese of Belleville. The agency will now be called Christian Social Services of Illinois.
“The Catholic Diocese of Belleville has announced that Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois (CSS), consistently one of the most highly rated providers of foster care and other social services in the State of Illinois, is separating from the Diocese of Belleville,” the diocese said in a statement. “It will no longer be connected to or sponsored by the Diocese.”
“Unable to remain faithful to the moral teaching of the Catholic Church while adhering to the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, the 64-year-old social service agency chose to disassociate from the Diocese. It is hoped that this new entity will experience no interruption in its services and programs.”
“Catholic Social Services, incorporated in 1947 as Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Belleville, will separate from The Catholic Diocese of Belleville,” the agency said in a separate statement. “This action is being taken so that the agency, which will be known as Christian Social Services of Illinois, may adhere to the new State of Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.”
“This solution is what is best for the children by providing for their continuity of care and allowing for the retention of the caring, dedicated and professional staff employed by the agency,” said Gary Huelsmann, the agency’s executive director.
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Further information:
- Catholic service group leaves Belleville diocese, to follow same-sex law (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
- Statement from Diocese of Belleville
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Posted by: unum -
Nov. 12, 2011 9:58 AM ET USA
How can the bishop of the Diocese of Belleville justify his decision to separate and rename the agency? He is justifying the future actions of the agency in compliance with the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (which does not agree with Church teaching) with ... what? The bishop has just taught the people of the Diocese that same sex unions are acceptable because of "the retention of the ... staff employed by the agency" according to an agency press release.
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Posted by: normnuke -
Nov. 11, 2011 7:51 PM ET USA
Money talks
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Posted by: -
Nov. 11, 2011 6:51 PM ET USA
How many Christians would appreciate the title "Christian" being used in their name.
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Posted by: sparch -
Nov. 11, 2011 2:24 PM ET USA
It would be interesting to see how this group evolves over the next five years, good, bad and ugly.
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Posted by: Lucius49 -
Nov. 11, 2011 1:52 PM ET USA
They should be required by law to remove the name "Catholic" to their so-called services. The local bishop should demand this.
