The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has ended its 80-year-old foster-care program in the District rather than license same-sex couples, the first fallout from a bitter debate over the city's move to legalize same-sex marriage.
Catholic Charities, which runs more than 20 social service programs for the District, transferred its entire foster-care program -- 43 children, 35 families and seven staff members -- to another provider, the National Center for Children and Families. Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), the D.C. Council member who chairs the Committee on Human Services, said he didn't know of any problems with the transfer, which happened Feb. 1.
In addition to foster care, the center runs programs in Montgomery County and the District for homeless families and victims of domestic violence.
The marriage bill, which was approved and signed in December, is expected to become law in the next couple of weeks if it clears a congressional review period.
Catholic Charities, which receives $20 million from the city, had sounded alarms in the run-up to the council vote, saying programs serving tens of thousands of people were in danger. Being forced to recognize same-sex marriage, church officials said, could make it impossible for the church to be a city contractor because Catholic teaching opposes same-sex marriage.
I don't have much in the way of comment, besides what I've said on this topic before--it seems to me like dogma and discrimination are trumping charity in this instance. I'm happy to see that another provider is going to take over those services without too much fuss. Because I'd hate to think that for some peculiar administrative reason, children were being delayed in being placed in perfectly safe and nurturing homes--you know?
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