Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
The city of Philadelphia ended a contract with Catholic Social Services (CSS) because the organization won’t endorse or certify homosexual “marriage.” CSS, which requires foster parents to be married, or if single, a birth parent must approve, took the matter to court, lost on appeal, and appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Foster mothers Sharonell Fulton and Toni Simms-Busch asked the court to bar the city from permanently canceling the contract.
The high court recently agreed to hear arguments. Becket Law represents Fulton and Simms-Busch. If Philadelphia prevails, it will no longer refer children to CSS for adoption or foster care.
Becket Law announced the news on its site (emphases added):
In March 2018—and just days after putting out a call for 300 more foster families—the City of Philadelphia stopped allowing foster children to be placed with families who work with CSS. Philadelphia argued that the Catholic agency had to either endorse and certify same-sex relationships or close down. The City did this despite the fact that—for the over 100 years CSS had served the City—not a single same-sex couple had sought foster care certification from CSS. Indeed, no couple has ever been prevented from fostering or adopting a child in need because of CSS’s religious beliefs.
…“I’m relieved to hear that the Supreme Court will weigh in on faith-based adoption and foster care,” said Lori Windham, senior counsel at Becket.“Over the last few years, agencies have been closing their doors across the country, and all the while children are pouring into the system. We are confident that the Court will realize that the best solution is the one that has worked in Philadelphia for a century—all hands on deck for foster kids.”
Faith-based organizations that receive government money are at risk, and children will suffer the consequences. Can we count on the “conservative” Supreme Court to protect their religious freedom and set things right?
Photo credit: Becket Law
Well they will have to stop receiving government money & then they can do ask they please. They can teach what they want & do business with who they want. At the end of the day it’s a business. You have to pay them to get the kids; it’s not like they gave them to adults for free.
It doesn’t matter whether they’re receiving money or not – they have to be licensed by the city in order to operate.
Actually the First Amendment of the United States Constitution states Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. SO THEY HAVE THE ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO SUE!!!