Catholic Church Kills Health Care for Spouses Over Gay Marriage

After bailing on its adoption program, D.C.’s Catholic Church is also bailing on shared health benefits for the spouses of all staffers in an effort to avoid offering benefits to same-sex partners of its workers.

“Starting Tuesday, Catholic Charities will not offer benefits to spouses of new employees or to spouses of current employees who are not already enrolled in the plan. A letter describing the change in health benefits was e-mailed to employees Monday, two days before same-sex marriage will become legal in the District. ‘We looked at all the options and implications,’ said the charity’s president, Edward J. Orzechowski. ‘This allows us to continue providing services, comply with the city’s new requirements and remain faithful to the church’s teaching.’ Catholic Charities, which receives $22 million from the city for social service programs, protested in the run-up to the council’s December vote to allow same-sex marriage, saying that it might not be able to continue its contracts with the city, including operating homeless shelters and facilitating city-sponsored adoptions.”

I am sure the church will have a bunch of happy employees! How do you feel about the Catholic Charities chosen path?

[ via Queerty ]