Massachusetts' Governor Files Bill to Grant Exemption to Catholic Charities
by Eric Francke
March 16, 2006
(AgapePress) - - On Wednesday Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney filed a bill aimed at granting exemption to Catholic Charities from the statutory prohibitions of discrimination against homosexuals in their adoption policies. But it appears his proposal has little support from political leaders in the State House and Senate.
The First Amendment rights of Catholic Charities to adhere to their religious principles came under attack last week when state officials announced that the organization had to comply with state guidelines in allowing children to be placed in same-sex households, despite recent pronouncements from the Vatican and Boston's four bishops condemning the practice.
Romney's bill, called "An Act Protecting Religious Freedom," authorizes religious organizations to provide adoption services in a manner that is consistent with their religious mission -- specifically, exempting them from anti-discriminatory language regarding same-sex couples. Romney noted that such couples could still adopt from a number of other adoption programs in the state. According to Associated Press, Massachusetts House and Senate leaders have already said they will not support Romney's effort.
Late last week, Catholic Charities had announced that it would get out of the adoption business altogether rather than be forced by the state to compromise its principles. Their stand was condemned not only by homosexual activist groups, but also by leaders on Beacon Hill such as Speaker Sal DiMasi, Senate President Robert Travaglini, and U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, who prides himself on being Roman Catholic. Even Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey took Catholic Charities to task over their stand for their religious freedom.
With opposition in both houses on Beacon Hill, Romney's bill for religious freedom faces an uphill battle. Interestingly enough, this scenario was predicted two years ago by Harvard law professor Mary Ann Glendon, who foresaw that the same-sex "marriage" ruling was going to be used as a hammer to bludgeon religious liberty.
"Every person and every religion that disagrees will be labeled as bigoted and openly discriminated against," Glendon said at the time. "The ax will fall most heavily on religious persons and groups that don't go along. Religious institutions will be hit with lawsuits if they refuse to compromise their principles."
Eric Francke is a member of the staff at MassNews.com. This article is reprinted with the permission of MassNews.com.
