Catholic Foster Care ‘Back 100%’ After Supreme Court Decision

Catholic Philly ^ | 10/26/21 | Gina Christian

[marshmallow]

Four months after a Supreme Court decision in its favor, archdiocesan Catholic Social Services (CSS) is “back 100%” in providing foster care placements for the City of Philadelphia.

“We receive referrals a couple of times each week,” said James Amato, archdiocesan Secretary for Catholic Human Services. “We’re back in the mix and back on board.”

In June, the high court ruled unanimously that the city’s March 2018 suspension of its contract with CSS violated the free exercise clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The case originated with the city’s move to freeze all new foster care placements with CSS due to the agency’s policy of not placing children with same-sex or unmarried couples. Such unions contravene church teaching on marriage, which holds the sacrament of matrimony is reserved only to one man and one woman.

Traditionally, CSS – which traces its roots to child welfare ministries established in 1797 – has deferred referrals involving same-sex foster parents to other approved agencies for placement.

The Philadelphia Archdiocese, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, filed suit shortly after the referral freeze, and the case eventually made its way to the nation’s highest court.

Once the ruling was issued, CSS and city officials reconnected to resume placements, which began in earnest about three weeks ago, Amato said.

[hinckley buzzard]

Another small win for mankind.

[Missouri gal]

An important victory, first, for the children not to be required to go to gay “couples,” and second for freedom of religion in America.

[TonyM]

While I do not believe the Catholic Church is a truly Christian religion I do think the decision was better than the alternative.