Since 1921 Catholic Charities organizations have been operating to help thousands of children and families, and they were handling about 20 percent of the adoption and foster care cases in Illinois.
On June 1 of this year, the “State of Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act,” became a threat to how Catholic Charities conducts its operation. The new law intends to make the state's religious partner go against their longstanding position that children adjust best when placed with parents who are married heterosexual couples or a single individual.
Yesterday the Thomas More Society filed a complaint on behalf of Catholic Charities in the Dioceses of Springfield, Peoria, and Joliet against the Illinois Attorney General and Department of Children and Family Services in Sangamon County Circuit Court.
They are asking the court if Catholic Charities may continue their practice of granting licenses to married couples and single, non-cohabiting individuals while referring civil union couples to other child welfare agencies.
"The Illinois Human Rights Act exempts religious adoption agencies from the provisions relied upon by the Attorney General’s office and the new Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act includes an express protection for the religious freedom of entities like Catholic Charities." (Source)
Tom Brejcha of the Thomas More Society reasons,
“Religious and faith-based entities need not check their beliefs at the door when providing vital social services for the benefit of needy and vulnerable children and families in Illinois.
“Catholic Charities has a clear right under Illinois law to pursue its charitable good works in the true spirit of the Gospels and the Sermon on the Mount, faithful to the essential tenets of its Catholic faith.
“We will advocate strongly to protect Catholic Charities’ continuing its mission of social service.”
Copy of certified letter from Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, to Catholic Charities dated March 8 demanding documentation and information for the organization for the last five years, click here.
Comments