D.C. Catholics Play Hardball on Gay Marriage

The Catholic Diocese in Washington D.C. is not going to allow the city to dictate how it must treat gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders, intraplanetary, and whatever other special interest group is covered in a proposed law:

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington says it won’t continue social service programs it runs for the District if the proposed same-sex marriage law isn’t changed.

The bill states religious organizations wouldn’t have to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings, but they must obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.

Opponents say the religious liberty exemption is too narrow. The archdiocese says religious organizations and individuals would be “at risk for adhering to the teachings of their faith.”

The archdiocese says that among other changes, it would have to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, forcing the archdiocese to abandon its city contracts. That could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.

Catholics in other areas have also threatened to close their hospitals should abortion become a requirement for federal funding.

Good for them.