Archdiocese in D.C. still committed to serving, despite same-sex 'marriage' bill

Washington D.C., Dec 2, 2009 / 10:05 am

The Archdiocese of Washington D.C. and Catholic Charities are still “committed to continuing to serve the people of the District of Columbia as we have done for more than 80 years,” despite D.C. Council members voting in favor of same-sex “marriage” in the nation's capital yesterday, said the archdiocese

Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese said in a statement yesterday that they will move forward “with the resources available to us,” though the current legislation could threaten to cut government funding of faith-based organizations, such as Catholic Charities, if they do not compromise their religious beliefs.

On Nov. 17, Archbishop Wuerl stated that the same-sex “marriage” bill would cause the city itself to withhold contracts and licenses since Catholic Charities and other religious institutions cannot comply with city mandates to “recognize and promote” it.

Gibbs continued to say in her statement  that “as the legislation moves forward, the Archdiocese of Washington will continue its dialogue with the Council to seek a balance of interests in the legislation – that of the city council to legalize same sex marriage and that of religious organizations to protect religious liberties.”

Yesterday's 11-2 vote of approval for same-sex “marriage” in D.C. is the first of two necessary in order for it to be signed into law by D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, a supporter of the bill. The second vote, to be held on Dec. 15, is expected to pass as well.  

The Archdiocese of Washington D.C. concluded it's remarks yesterday by saying that Catholic Charities currently serves 68,000 people a year in the District of Columbia through a range of services including shelter, nutrition, counseling, employment and job training services, legal and health care assistance and immigration assistance.