He said he wrote to legislators concerning the Church's role in adoption and foster care. He asked them "to uphold our desire to serve while remaining faithful to our tradition of marriage in the placement of children."
The bishop also cited Catholic Charities' 23 programs or ministries that serve people like homeless veterans, victims of domestic violence and rape, legal immigrants, unaccompanied refugee minors and children in the foster system.
"We serve all who are in need or in crisis situations with expertise, compassion, confidentiality and respect. The dignity of each person is upheld, and no one is turned away."
He said the Mississippi law protects First Amendment rights for religious groups and individual citizens.
"The Church will continue to work to protect its First Amendment right to worship, to educate and to serve in the public domain while respecting the dignity of all citizens," Bishop Kopacz said.
Like other proposed state religious freedom laws, the Mississippi law became the subject of controversy from activist groups and some business groups who charged that it was discriminatory on the basis of marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Gov. Phil Bryant signed the bill into law April 5. He said it is "designed in the most targeted manner possible to prevent government interference in the lives of the people."
Bishop Kopacz characterized the controversy as a conflict "between religious freedom and freedom of conscience versus discrimination," with a significant focus on same-sex unions and the redefinition of marriage.
He stressed the importance of both Catholic teaching on marriage and God's unconditional love.
"Some want to frame the debate surrounding the Church's teaching as discrimination and hostility toward homosexual persons. On the contrary, we are being faithful to our mission to 'speak the truth in love' and to live with the heart and mind of our risen Lord who came that all might be reconciled to God."
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