The Rockford Diocese is ending its state-funded adoption and foster-care program rather than comply with a new law that would require it to place children with gay or unmarried couples.
Officials from the Rockford Diocese, which includes Aurora, Kane County and much of Kendall County, said they were forced to terminate state contracts worth $7.5 million after lawmakers failed to pass an amendment exempting religious groups from provisions of the state’s new civil unions law. The law, which will let gay and lesbian couples form civil unions, a rough equivalent to marriage, takes effect on Wednesday.
Catholic Charities wanted to be allowed to refer unmarried or gay couples to other agencies, as it has for years.
Diocese officials said that allowing such adoptions or foster placements would violate teachings of the Catholic faith.
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Complete article at Sun Times : http://bit.ly/mE49gV
