Rockford, Ill., Jun 3, 2011 / 04:07 am
The Diocese of Rockford says Illinois' new civil union law has forced Catholic Charities to end an adoption partnership once ranked as the second-best in the state.
“This action is solely the result of the passage of the 'Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act,'” explained diocesan general counsel Ellen B. Lynch, in a June 1 editorial co-authored with diocesan spokeswoman Penny Wiegert.
Their essay, published by the Rockford Register Star, explained how the new law put an end to Catholic Charities' state-funded adoption work.
The civil unions act, which took effect 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.