Religious Institute Charges DC Catholic Charities with 'Religious Hypocrisy'

In response to the recent decisions by Catholic Charities to stop providing spousal benefits to its employees and to abandon its adoption and foster care programs in Washington, D.C. -- both in order to exclude same-sex couples -- the Religious Institute issued the following statement from Rev. Debra W. Haffner:

"The decisions by Catholic Charities are religious hypocrisy. For an organization that seeks to serve children and families, its actions undermine anyone's definition of family values. Gay men and lesbians may be the targets of these decisions, but it is children and families who will suffer the collateral damage.

Last month, in our report Sexuality and Religion 2020: Goals for the Next Decade, the Religious Institute called for the full inclusion of LGBT persons and their families in faith communities and society. Today we call on progressive religious leaders, in denominations and congregations, to speak out against the injustice of Catholic Charities' actions, and to examine their own record of inclusion where adoption and spousal benefits are concerned. It is not enough to fault Catholic Charities for its lack of family values; progressive religious leaders must also ask whether their policies and programs truly embrace all families."