Catholic Charities in Rockford announced May 26 that it will end its adoption and foster services, according to The Civil Rights Agenda. This came after Amendment 2 of House Bill 3184 failed to pass in the state Senate. The Amendment would have allowed Illinois religious agencies the right to discriminate against couples in a civil union who are applying to adopt or foster a child.
“While I am pleased that the Amendment is dead, I am mindful that this is a sad day for the many foster families and parents involved and the children who are in the care of Catholic Charities,” stated Anthony Martinez, TCRA Executive Director. “Those are the victims in this, and my heart truly goes out to them. This is a sad display of bigotry by Catholic Charities, and their bigotry will now be harming the children in their care. It is equally sad that they would invoke “Freedom of Religion” as they make this announcement. That freedom is granted only when the religious agency is not funded by tax payer dollars, and they are well aware of that. Luckily, the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services has been anticipating this move and has a contingency plan in place.”
Also please see related article at the link: State legislature refutes latest anti-gay attempt, Thursday, May 26, 2011 windycitytimes.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=31989