The District of Columbia is poised to join the 21st Century by approving marriage equality for everyone, but a last minute blackmail threat from the Roman Catholic Church could throw a monkey wrench into the deal. The bill before the DC Council would not force any church or organization to perform or make space available for same-sex marriages, but the RCC says that doesn't go far enough. They are afraid they'd have to pay domestic partner benefits to employees and would no longer be allowed to deny adoption rights to gay and lesbian couples, so they're threatening to stop providing social services for anybody in the District if the bill passes as is. The Washington Post reports:
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....
...Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), chairman of the judiciary committee, said the council "will not legislate based on threats."
"The problem with the individual exemption is anybody could discriminate based on their assertion of religious principle," Mendelson said. "There were many people back in the 1950s and '60s, during the civil rights era, that said separation of the races was ordained by God."
Catania, who said he has been the biggest supporter of Catholic Charities on the council, said he is baffled by the church's stance. From 2006 through 2008, Catania said, Catholic Charities received about $8.2 million in city contracts, as well as several hundred thousand dollars' worth this year through his committee.
"If they find living under our laws so oppressive that they can no longer take city resources, the city will have to find an alternative partner to step in to fill the shoes," Catania said. He also said Catholic Charities was involved in only six of the 102 city-sponsored adoptions last year.
Poor Catholic Charities, they might have to obey the law and treat people equally, and if they can't, they'll just take their ball and go home. Exactly what Jesus would do I'm sure.
A religious institution trying to throw its weight around in politics? Shocking! Outrageous! What's next?! Pedophile priests?
Posted by: The News Ho | November 12, 2009 at 08:03 PM
Yeah, Perry, really stick it to the Catholics. It so surreal that a bunch of child molestors are so freaked out by gay marriage but child rape is A-ok.
Posted by: Eric | November 13, 2009 at 06:43 AM
My thing is, if they're going to lobby, then take away their tax exempt status. They're getting a free ride on our ticket while they're working against us politically. They shouldn't be able to have it both ways.
Posted by: HP Stevens | November 13, 2009 at 07:28 AM