Jackson, Miss., Jul 20, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Bethany Christian Services in Mississippi has voted unanimously to include Catholic families in all adoption programs.
Sandy and Robert Stedman, a couple who had been denied services from Bethany earlier this month because of their Catholic faith, told the Clarion-Ledger that the policy change is "a true testament to Christians working together to resolve an issue peacefully."
Bethany had initially explained to the Stedmans in a letter that it was the organization’s "understanding that Catholicism does not agree with our Statement of Faith.”
But yesterday Bethany Christian Services of Mississippi announced its new policy, saying that it “regrets any pain caused to families, especially to our Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ.”