Gay adoptions: ‘Catholic Social Services’ becomes ‘Christian Social Services’
CWN - January 31, 2012
On February 1, Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois, which for over six decades had been affiliated with the Diocese of Belleville, will become Christian Social Services of Illinois so as to comply with a state law that compels foster care and adoption agencies to make children available for placement with homosexual couples.
In November, the agency announced it would no longer be associated with the Diocese of Belleville.
“Although we are sad to lose our Catholic identity, we are excited to be able to broaden our base of support to other Christian traditions," said Gary Huelsmann, the agency’s executive director.
“The Catholic diocese has carried a heavy financial burden to support the work of the agency for decades, and for that we are grateful,” he added. “The last two months have been extraordinary for the agency. We have a new identity as well as expanded offices and a phenomenal staff. We hope that the agency will keep its Catholic support but also gain substantial support from other churches that currently are not connected to any other social service agencies.”
According to the organization’s 2010 tax return, $7.6 million out of the agency’s $10.2 million in annual revenue comes from foster care services, which are “reimbursed at rate established by Illinois Dept. of Children & Family Services.” The organization has 253 employees and ran a surplus of over $60,000 in 2009-10. It listed $2.12 million in assets, including nearly $175,000 in investments in securities and $779,000 in cash, savings, and temporary cash investments.
According to the tax return, Bishop Edward Braxton does not serve on the board of the agency: 26 of its 27 officers, directors, and key employees are laity. One trustee (Father David Darin) is a priest.
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