Monday, November 16, 2009

Catholic Church Under Attack by The State (Again), This Time in Our Nation's Capital

"The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. has said it will be forced to end its government contracts for social services in the nation's capital, if the D.C. Council does not broaden a religious exemption in a bill to legalize same-sex 'marriage.'

"Without the exemption, says the archdiocese, the Church would be required to do such things as extend marriage benefits to same-sex couples, in violation of its core teachings.

Religious groups and churches, including the Catholic archdiocese and its affiliates, would also have to open up their services to homosexual couples, including adoption and foster-care services, "spousal" benefits for same-sex couples, and church halls requested for non-marriage functions.

It is also important to note that DC's new law "could mean that individuals - from wedding photographers to caterers - will face charges of unlawful discrimination if they refuse their services to same-sex couples for reasons of conscience."

The District will effectively force the Archdiocese either to violate the law or to abandon charitable practice like caring for the poor, hungry and homeless, things that are fundamental to the practice of Catholic social teaching.

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