Illinois Catholic Charities suing state over adoption rules


Catholic Charities offices from three dioceses in Illinois have filed suit against the state after having to shut down their adoption and foster care services following the enactment of the state's civil union law on June 1.

“Child welfare advocates know it is in the best interest of Illinois children for Catholic Charities to stay in this business,” said Steven Roach, head of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Springfield.

“It’s tragic that there are people who believe unnecessarily disrupting the lives of thousands of vulnerable children is an acceptable outcome in this situation.”

Catholic Charities organizations in the Dioceses of Springfield, Peoria and Joliet filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County Circuit Court on June 7 seeking to legally continue their current practices of working only with married couples and single, non-cohabiting individuals. The suit was filed against the Illinois Attorney General and the Department of Children and Family Services.

The “State of Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act,” which became law on June 1, does not allow child welfare agencies to restrict their adoption and foster care work to married heterosexual couples, even in cases where these agencies partner with religious groups.

Rather than violate Catholic teaching, the three dioceses – along with the Diocese of Rockford which has not filed suit – chose to halt all state-funded adoptions and foster care placements.

Read the full story.

Related:

Catholic Charities asks for emergency injunction


Illinois Catholic Charities Stands Firm Against State-Imposed Homosexual Adoption
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