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Catholic Charities of Peoria and Joliet, Illinois, following the lead of the Rockford Diocese, announced Friday that they will discontinue adoption and foster care programs because of the state’s civil unions law that took effect June 1.
The groups informed the state of their decisions in separate letters to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
“It is the religious practice of Catholic Charities not to place children with unmarried cohabiting couples, whether same sex or opposite sex,” wrote Glenn Van Cura, executive director of Catholic Charities of Joliet, in a letter to DCFS sent this week.
In a separate letter, Tricia C. Fox, chief executive officer for Catholic Charities of Peoria, added that the suspension is temporary. Licensing could resume if language is added to the civil union law allowing religious agencies to refer applicants to one of the state’s 45 other child welfare agencies if they don’t fit Catholic Charities’ criteria, Fox said.
The decision by the two dioceses will affect a combined 963 foster homes in Peoria and Joliet.
Previously, the Rockford Catholic Diocese announced that it would discontinue adoption and foster care programs rather than be forced to serve same-sex or unmarried opposite-sex couples.
Illinois’ civil unions law requires any charity that accepts state money to provide child-care services to treat people in civil unions as it would treat married couples. The state provides Catholic Charities $30 million annually for its services.
In April, the state Senate voted down a measure that would have allowed religious and faith-based groups to deny same-sex couples from adopting or fostering children.
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this SUCKS OUT LOUD…most especially for the children
Demonstrating even more clearly that hate and intolerance are part of the Catholic ethos.
I like how their blatant intolerance matters more to them than the children. Priorities…
Booohooohoo from the usual whiners who LOVE to play the victim card. Two things: 1) Charities receiving taxpayers’ money have no business discriminating against a given group of citizens and 2) this is an example of why gay and lesbian couples should be granted the right to marry. It’s a basic fairness issue.
As if the Catholics were in a place to judge ANYONE on morality issues. YEA RIGHT!!
the catholic church is so out of touch with reality
those mollusk eating idolators shouldn’t be allowed to raise foster kids anyway
Yes, because the children should be punished. Seriously, it’s law. They need to get over it because they’re taking out their anger on kids who need homes.
It goes to show they dont care about forming families based on love, they just want to be the only ones with the aforementioned commerce
Actions speak louder than words. Catholic Church say: “Spiting people that make us uncomfortable is more important than being Christlike.”
Very sad catholic church, are you that narrow minded??? Seriously!!!
Guess so………….. :( :(
You’re throwing kids under the bus. I am so glad that I’m not a Catholic because I believe in Kids welfare FIRST!
@Jackie: Great point! I think it’s quite clear that the Catholic Church does not want family systems based on anything but its narrow definition of “normal”. I’m sure that if it could, it would require foster homes be Catholic—to create a new generation of brainwashed masses. It’s the only way it can hope to replenish its population.
No wonder I’m not religious anymore…
Still doing God’s work I suppose.
This is so sickening on every level. They drop adoption yet pay millions in lawsuits and cover up sex scandals to protect their filthy priests. Shameful!
Aren’t these kids wards of the state? Then bring them back to social services so they are taken cared of by the state and its citizens under the laws of the citizens for all citizens so nobody can cherry pick who they want to serve and who they don’t.
When will the Catholic church cease forcing themselves, and their selfish, archaic beliefs and rules upon others?
Wow.
Yea that definitely punishes me
Not the innocent kids that you just threw out…
That right there is jus plain Ignorance…an goes to show u how fuckin shallow these christians and catholics really are!!!
Adult anti-gay bigots must never be entrusted with children’s welfare. Teaching hate to children is a violation of their human rights.
Less bigots “caring” for children is always a good thing.
Before all the hate towards Catholic Charities, you should understand the facts. For over 50 years they have provided support for children in foster care in Illinois. They do not hate LGBT, but Catholics in general are some of the most supportive if LGBT most other religions in America. But they are in a difficult situation where Rome will not allow them to adopt to LGBT couples, but (as they have for years) couples are referred to other agencies. Peoria, Springfield, and Joliet are not dropping the programs, rather they are no longer accepting any application so they will not be seen as descirminating.
Please do not post hate filled comments against a large group of people who have been helping children for years. There are alot of things many Catholics would love to change, but Rome does not have a great track record of change. But it does not mean Catholics hate LGBT, it just means they are limited on what we can do for them.
@Paul Dobra, The Catholic Church has a policy around LGBT people. The policies are Discriminatory, To discriminate a group like they do is hurtful. I am certain that there practices encourage Hate without a doubt. You don’t have to use the word HATE to be Hateful,just like you don’t have to use the word LOVE to be loving. There action tell the story Paul no matter how you swing it.
@ Mark… I suppose it’s all depends on what one believes as truth. To a Catholic it is not discrimination in the sense that a distinction is not being made against a person, yet for the benifit of the person’s soul. It’s about loving a person where they are at, but still sticking firm with the truth and desiring to not lead anyone astray morally. Therefore it is about love and not hate. Catholic Charities has been providing hope and loving children and families for over 40 years. Seems like everyone wants to place blame on the agency and not the state’s choice. Catholics as a whole will always follow absolute truth, which is the only way to fully express love and mercy.