Peoria Catholic Charities withdraws from state social service lawsuit
Fri. October 7, 2011 4:53 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Illinois Catholic Dioceses argue in favor of religious bias
Peoria, IL -
The Catholic Diocese of Peoria announced Oct. 6 its intention to withdraw from ongoing litigation against the State of Illinois and from all state-funded social service contracts.
Since the civil unions law took effect June 1, the Peoria, Joliet, Springfield and Belleville dioceses said they'll only place children with married couples and single parents living along, in essence discriminating against gay and lesbian couples.
The four Catholic Dioceses have been locked in a legal battle with Illinois after the state decided not to renew foster care and adoption contracts, worth more than $30 million in state funding, with Catholic Charities over the agencies refusal to comply with the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.
Attorneys for Catholic Charities argued the religious agency had a legal right under the state's constitution to follow their religious beliefs when placing children.
A Sangamon County Circuit Court judge dealt a blow to Catholic Charities when he ruled Sept. 26 the state could begin canceling its foster care and adoption contracts with Catholic Charities.
The Peoria Dioceses said the decision was made to prevent disruption to the 1,000 foster care children and families served by Catholic Charities of Peoria.
Gay rights advocates urge the Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Belleville, and Joliet to follow Peoria's decision to stop the ongoing legal battle with the State of Illinois over child welfare placements.
The Diocese of Rockford stopped offering state-funded adoptions and foster care services when the Illinois civil unions legislation took effect June 1.
Since the civil unions law took effect June 1, the Peoria, Joliet, Springfield and Belleville dioceses said they'll only place children with married couples and single parents living along, in essence discriminating against gay and lesbian couples.
The four Catholic Dioceses have been locked in a legal battle with Illinois after the state decided not to renew foster care and adoption contracts, worth more than $30 million in state funding, with Catholic Charities over the agencies refusal to comply with the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.
Attorneys for Catholic Charities argued the religious agency had a legal right under the state's constitution to follow their religious beliefs when placing children.
A Sangamon County Circuit Court judge dealt a blow to Catholic Charities when he ruled Sept. 26 the state could begin canceling its foster care and adoption contracts with Catholic Charities.
The Peoria Dioceses said the decision was made to prevent disruption to the 1,000 foster care children and families served by Catholic Charities of Peoria.
Gay rights advocates urge the Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Belleville, and Joliet to follow Peoria's decision to stop the ongoing legal battle with the State of Illinois over child welfare placements.
The Diocese of Rockford stopped offering state-funded adoptions and foster care services when the Illinois civil unions legislation took effect June 1.