Governors Blast D.C. Archdiocese

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.