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Governors Blast D.C. Archdiocese


TIM KAINE MARTIN OMALLEY X 390 (WTOP)

The governors of Virginia and Maryland have denounced the Catholic archdiocese of Washington, D.C., for threatening to cut its social service contracts if the nation’s capital passes a proposed marriage equality law.

Of the church’s position, Virginia governor Tim Kaine said Tuesday on a local radio program, “I’m Catholic, and I think it’s wrong. “I don’t think you can take your ball and go home. ... I think the strategy of threatening to pull back, it doesn't seem like the church I've come up in."

Catholic Charities has requested an exemption from the proposed Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, which would legalize same-sex marriages in Washington. The law would not require religious groups to perform ceremonies, but it would require that entities receiving city contracts provide spousal benefits to married gay and lesbian employees.

"I think it would be very, very sad for all concerned, especially for the people who are served by the good work of the Catholic Church acting out the Gospels." Maryland governor Martin O’Malley said of the church’s position (O’Malley is also Catholic).

Washington city council members are currently working with the archdiocese to forge a compromise, but are expected to pass the marriage law next month. In May the council approved a bill to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Ran
    Date posted: 11/27/2009 3:00:53 AM
    Hometown: West Hollywood

    Comment:

    I think the Mayors should call their bluff and say okay, we'll get someone else. I cannot believe there aren't other social service providers that wouldn't step in. For them to ask for an exemption is equal to asking to discriminate against an African American. I personally don't believe in their faith and I find it difficult to understand how it is that we allow this one religion in particular to overstep and force itself on everyone and everything all the time. That's wrong and we don't allow other religions to do it. If they won't play by the rules they shouldn't get governement funding or contracts. It's simple.

  • Name: Dan in Florida
    Date posted: 11/26/2009 7:57:53 PM
    Hometown: Palm Harbor, Fl

    Comment:

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091126/ap_on_re_eu/eu_ireland_catholic_abuse

  • Name: john in SF
    Date posted: 11/26/2009 5:09:34 AM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    I say, don't stop at DC, kick this f'n sad excuse for a religion out if the entire country. Just make sure that they leave the keys to all of the free property that they have left, after the legal bills have been paid of course for all of their molestation lawsuits.

  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 11/25/2009 8:26:00 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    Does the Archdiocese ever submit an accounting of how the funds they receive are actually SPENT? I wonder how much of the money they get actually goes to help those for whom it is intended; and how much of that money (tax dollars, folks) ends up in church coffers! I'm glad to see Catholics taking their church to task for its hidebound attitude. Chris Matthews, a catholic himself, absolutely EXCORIATED the Bishop for their actions. THAT'S what's needed; for those IN that church to point up the institutions shortcomings. Are there no OTHER charitable organizations who can handle this assignment? How did the catholic church get this 'no-bid' contract?

  • Name: TAX THE JESUS CULTS
    Date posted: 11/25/2009 7:13:52 PM
    Hometown: CA.

    Comment:

    What happened to the constitution and the seperation of church and state? Why are officials not discussing eliminating the tax free staus of this JESUS CULT?

  • Name: Chris
    Date posted: 11/25/2009 5:41:26 PM
    Hometown: Fresno

    Comment:

    The reason the Catholic Church is so hysterical about gay equality is that the entire structure of the Church is based on gay oppression. Let's get real. Most Catholic priests are gay. The Church desperately needs them to feel bad about themselves so they stay and remain useful little cogs. Wake up brothers! You are in abusive relationship. You can do better. There is love and happiness on the other side of the closet door!

  • Name: jeffrey
    Date posted: 11/25/2009 3:34:21 PM
    Hometown: albany

    Comment:

    Why is anyone with functioning above the brain stem still catholic and could someone please explain why the city council in Washington needs to sit down and craft anything with the archdiocese?

  • Name: Fernando
    Date posted: 11/25/2009 2:44:27 PM
    Hometown: San Diego

    Comment:

    Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine should be blasting the Catholic Church in general for having a ridiculous policy on the LGBT community in the first place, then should move on the marriage equality. Anything that I hate more than marriage inequality is incongruent policies. Why is this guy still Catholic?

  • Name: Jim Kane
    Date posted: 11/25/2009 2:31:49 PM
    Hometown: San Antonio

    Comment:

    Let them! Then sue the Archdiocese for breach of contract!



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