Written by Don Byrd
A new law in Illinois requires the inclusion of same-sex couples in state adoption services. Now Catholic Charities, which has received state funding to provide adoption services, is seeking a religious exemption to that requirement, suing the state and asking for an injunction to keep the government from enforcing the non-discrimination provision.
Catholic Charities asked the court’s permission to refer civil union couples to other child welfare agencies while exclusively granting licenses to married couples and singles living alone.
“Not a single prospective foster parent is being denied the right to apply by not having Catholic Charities work with them,” said lawyer Peter Breen, executive director of the Thomas More Society, which is representing Catholic Charities.
Steven Roach, executive director for Catholic Charities in the Springfield Diocese, said religious principles must be upheld for partnerships between government and religious institutions to work.
Catholic Charities claims it will discontinue the service before agreeing to the non-discrimination requirement. But this case may raise even broader issues regarding the relationship between receiving state funds and compliance with state requirements. Stay tuned.
