The morally bankrupt and corrupt bitter old queens in the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy apparently still do not get the fact that we are no longer in the Middle Ages and that the Church's credibility is generally non-existent outside of far right Catholic circle. Yes, people -especially politicians - still pretend to give the Church deference, but as Andrew Sullivan recently pointed out, why should anyone listen to a group that enabled and/or cover up for sexual predators who preyed on children. Now the Archdiocese of Washington is trying to dictate civil law policy to the Washington, D.C., city counsel as it considers an ordinance providing for gay marriage. The Archdiocese threatens to will shut down its charitable operations if the Catholic organizations cannot discriminate against same sex couples. Someone on the Council needs to remind the Church eunuchs that there is such a thing as separation of church and state and a difference between the civil laws and the Church's "laws." Moreover, given the Church's activities in connection with Proposition 8 and the recent referendum in Maine, it seems time that the Church lose its tax exempt status - a privilege under the tax that obligates non-profits to not engage in activities to effect legislation. Here are some highlights from the Washington Post:*
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care. . . . Under the bill, headed for a D.C. Council vote next month, religious organizations would not be required to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings. But they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.
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Fearful that they could be forced, among other things, to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, church officials said they would have no choice but to abandon their contracts with the city. . . . Several D.C. Council members said the Catholic Church is trying to erode the city's long-standing laws protecting gay men and lesbians from discrimination.
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The church's influence seems limited. In separate interviews Wednesday, council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) referred to the church as "somewhat childish." Another council member, David A. Catania (I-At Large), said he would rather end the city's relationship with the church than give in to its demands. . . . "They don't represent, in my mind, an indispensable component of our social services infrastructure," said Catania, the sponsor of the same-sex marriage bill and the chairman of the Health Committee. . . . The council is expected to pass the same-sex marriage bill next month, but the measure continues to face strong opposition from a number of groups that are pushing for a referendum on the issue.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care. . . . Under the bill, headed for a D.C. Council vote next month, religious organizations would not be required to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings. But they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.
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Fearful that they could be forced, among other things, to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, church officials said they would have no choice but to abandon their contracts with the city. . . . Several D.C. Council members said the Catholic Church is trying to erode the city's long-standing laws protecting gay men and lesbians from discrimination.
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The church's influence seems limited. In separate interviews Wednesday, council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) referred to the church as "somewhat childish." Another council member, David A. Catania (I-At Large), said he would rather end the city's relationship with the church than give in to its demands. . . . "They don't represent, in my mind, an indispensable component of our social services infrastructure," said Catania, the sponsor of the same-sex marriage bill and the chairman of the Health Committee. . . . The council is expected to pass the same-sex marriage bill next month, but the measure continues to face strong opposition from a number of groups that are pushing for a referendum on the issue.
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Peter Rosenstein of the Campaign for All D.C. Families accused the church of trying to "blackmail the city." "The issue here is they are using public funds, and to allow people to discriminate with public money is unacceptable," Rosenstein said. Rosenstein and other gay rights activists have strong support on the council. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), chairman of the judiciary committee, said the council "will not legislate based on threats."
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Peter Rosenstein of the Campaign for All D.C. Families accused the church of trying to "blackmail the city." "The issue here is they are using public funds, and to allow people to discriminate with public money is unacceptable," Rosenstein said. Rosenstein and other gay rights activists have strong support on the council. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), chairman of the judiciary committee, said the council "will not legislate based on threats."
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If the Church wants to accept public money, it needs to obey the civil non-discrimination laws. Otherwise, the Church is free to stop accepting public money if it wants to discriminate. The Church does NOT get to have its cake and eat it too.
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