DC's Same-Sex Marriage Bill May Affect Churches Support of Social Services

Yesterday the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said it will be unable to continue the cities social service programs it runs if DC doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law. This threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and healthcare including the one-third of Washington's homeless population which is supported by the Catholic Charities organization.

Although the proposed bill will not require Churches to perform same-sex weddings, they will have to adhere to laws prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals. The Washington Post reports:
"Fearful that they could be forced, among other things, to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, church officials said they would have no choice but to abandon their contracts with the city. "If the city requires this, we can't do it," Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said Wednesday. "The city is saying in order to provide social services, you need to be secular. For us, that's really a problem." Several D.C. Council members said the Catholic Church is trying to erode the city's long-standing laws protecting gay men and lesbians from discrimination."

What ever happen to loving all of God's creatures? I hope (and pray) they will see how unfair it would be to strip the needy of it's services in an effort to stop gay marriage I was raised Catholic and was raised to be a compassionate Catholic and this action by the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is beyond non-compassionate.