Archdiocese of Boston to decide about same-sex adoptions early in New Year

Boston, Mass., Dec 8, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Archdiocese of Boston is expected to make a decision by early in the New Year on whether Catholic Charities of Boston should facilitate adoptions for same-sex couples.

Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo Higuera, the papal nuncio, sent Archbishop Sean O’Malley of Boston a letter, urging him to stop his local Catholic Charities office from brokering adoptions unless same-sex couples are excluded, the Boston Herald reported earlier this week.

When asked about the letter, the archdiocese issued a statement, saying: “The dioceses of Massachusetts are currently reviewing the issue of Catholic Charities having facilitated adoptions for same-sex couples. The bishops expect to receive a recommendation concerning this matter early in the New Year.” A commission, established to study the situation, will make that recommendation.

To date, only a small percentage of the adoptions coordinated by Catholic Charities are to same-sex couples, and none are being planned now. Catholic Charities officials have defended the practice, citing the need to work within state guidelines that mandate agencies to process adoptions for same-sex couples.

Catholic Action League of Massachusetts executive director C.J. Doyle has criticized the state for not including a conscience clause in the law, exempting groups such as Catholic Charities from placing children with same-sex couples.