07/14/11 – TheBlaze.com – Four Catholic Charities regional groups have been granted the right continue their adoption and foster program services in Illinois for at least another month thanks to Judge John Schmidt‘s decision to refuse allowing the state to cut funds based off the organization’s resistance to placing children with gay and unwed couples. Chicago Tribune:
“The judge set Aug. 15 for a full-scale hearing. In the meantime, he said, children in Catholic Charities‘ care will not be shifted to other social service agencies because that could risk ’irreparable injury.’
Catholic Charities argued the state’s interpretation of the civil union law is discriminatory because it would require placing children with gay or unwed couples. Such an action would violate religious protections built into the law, said attorney Tom Brejcha, who represented the group.”
The move comes after the state’s decision two days earlier to decline renewing a five decade relationship with the organization that serves nearly 2,000 foster children and their caseworkers.
“It’s a surprise. But it’s also very disturbing. The impact on the [nearly 2,000] children in Catholic Charities care will be catastrophic,” said a lawyer representing the Catholic Charities to the Chicago Tribune Monday.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services rejected renewing contracts with the Catholic Charities in the diocese of Peoria, Joliet and Springfield along with the Catholic Social Services of Illinois because “your agency has made it clear that it does not intend to comply with the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.”
On OCTOBER 3, 1789, from the U.S. Capitol in New York City, President George Washington
