Just when we think the leaders of the Catholic Church can’t sink any lower, they do. And, the latest example is happening here in DC. The Archdiocese is threatening the District government that it will stop providing services to the poor, the homeless and the sick, via Catholic Charities, if the marriage equality law passes:
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn’t change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.
Fortunately, the Archbishop’s ploy doesn’t seem to be working. The Catholic Bishops may control Congress, but they don’t control the DC City Council:
The church’s influence seems limited. In separate interviews Wednesday, council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) referred to the church as “somewhat childish.” Another council member, David A. Catania (I-At Large), said he would rather end the city’s relationship with the church than give in to its demands.
“They don’t represent, in my mind, an indispensable component of our social services infrastructure,” said Catania, the sponsor of the same-sex marriage bill and the chairman of the Health Committee.
It is stunning how obsessed the Catholic Church has become with hating gays. Just stunning. I haven’t been to church for a long time, but I don’t recall Jesus every prioritizing hatred over doing for the least of our brothers. And, let’s not even discuss how many priests in the DC area are gay (yet.)
