W-CC Press Releases

March 15, 2010

To the Director and the Board of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC:

 Women-Church Convergence, a coalition of thirty Catholic rooted feminist groups, writes to express our profound disagreement with your recent policies dealing with services and benefits for those who work at Catholic Charities in Washington, DC. We ask that you reconsider and modify these decisions in light of the scandal they give to the larger church and world.

 The decision to stop doing foster care and adoption because same-sex couples would be eligible for consideration in the District of Columbia is morally reprehensible. We as Catholics strongly support the right of children to have families. We know many same-sex couples who are excellent parents, raising their children with values and social justice commitments that reflect our Catholic tradition. Your allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church's mistaken policy rather than to the wellbeing of children is shocking and regrettable. We ask you to rectify your mistake in this regard lest people confuse your actions with Catholic teachings of love and justice to which we adhere.

 The decision to stop providing health care benefits for all future employees of Catholic Charities in DC and to the future spouses of your current employees rather than comply with the law and cover same-sex couples is equally egregious. At a time when so many people are without health insurance such a move only increases their number. It is stunning that an agency that claims to be "Opening doors to help and hope" would make a decision that slams the door and erodes any hope its employees might have of working for a just institution. We suggest that you rethink this decision and reinstate the benefits.

 We would be happy to discuss these matters with you. All good wishes on your efforts to rectify this dreadful situation and contribute to the common good.

      Sincerely,

      Susan Farrell      
      Donna Quinn