Compassion has its limits: Catholic Church blackmails DC over social services if it approves same-sex marriage

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has threatened to terminate the social service programs it runs for the Washington, DC, 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, reports the Washington Post:

Under the bill, headed for a D.C. Council vote next month, religious organizations would not be required to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings. But they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.

Fearful that they could be forced, among other things, to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, church officials said they would have no choice but to abandon their contracts with the city.

More from 365Gay and blogger John Culhane.

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