Here is yet another example of Catholic Charities, D.C. choosing a nuclear option to act against the LGBTQ community, and harming innocent bystanders in the process. The Washington Post reports:
“Employees at Catholic Charities were told Monday that the social services organization is changing its health coverage to avoid offering benefits to same-sex partners of its workers — the latest fallout from a bitter debate between District officials trying to legalize same-sex marriage and the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
“Starting Tuesday, Catholic Charities will not offer benefits to spouses of new employees or to spouses of current employees who are not already enrolled in the plan.”
“We looked at all the options and implications,” said the charity’s president, Edward J. Orzechowski. “This allows us to continue providing services, comply with the city’s new requirements and remain faithful to the church’s teaching.”
The charity, which receives $22 million from the city, fought hard against the D.C. marriage bill, threatening and ultimately dropping its foster care and adoption services.
As I wrote earlier,
“It’s important to note that the new D.C. law did not force Catholic Charities to close its doors, as some organizations claimed it did in Massachusetts when that state adopted marriage equality. Catholic Charities chose to end its foster care and adoption services rather than make changes which would allow same-sex individuals or couples to adopt.”
The charity’s web site and logo reads, “Catholic Charities | Opening doors to help and hope.” And yet, they continue to close them to anyone who stands in their way, consequences be damned.