Illinois diocese drops adoption, foster-care services
May 27, 2011
The Diocese of Rockford has announced that it will close is adoption and foster-care services because of new state laws that require equal treatment for same-sex couples.
Diocesan officials said that Catholic agencies cannot comply with the new regulations, because they would require placement of children with homosexual couples in violation of Church teaching. The agency has been handling about 350 adoption and foster-care cases each year.
Catholic Charities had sought a special exemption from the new rules, which go into effect on June 1. Penny Wiegert, speaking for the diocese, said: “Denying this exemption to faith-based agencies leads one to believe that our lawmakers prefer laws that guarantee freedom from religion."
Catholic Charities had relied on state funding for its adoption and foster-care services.
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Further information:
- Diocese of Rockford drops foster care, adoption over gay rights (Rockford Star)
- Ill. diocese ends adoptions over gay rights law (AP)
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Posted by: DrJazz -
May. 30, 2011 9:06 AM ET USA
I find it disturbing that the Diocese is willing to fold its tents so quickly. What about standing up to evil? Civil disobedience? Is the proper course of action for us to quit a job entirely whenever we are asked to do something immoral? Let's see: Catholics can't run adoption agencies, can't be pharmacists...soon we won't be able to be doctors or nurses...teaching can't be far behind. Why don't we just set up the Catholic ghetto now?
