Citing the example of Georgetown University, several Washington DC
Council members are reportedly seeking a compromise with the
Archdiocese of Washington so the Church will not end its social
services
contracts with the city if the council legalizes same-sex marriage.
District officials said that they see a way for Catholic Charities to continue operating programs with city money while assuring that the organization's gay and heterosexual employees would be treated equally if they got married, the Washington Post reports.
"The rights of [gay] partners cannot be any different from similar situated couples, but with that said, if other jurisdictions have found a way to accommodate Catholic Charities, that would be very much be desired," Del. Eleanor Norton (D) told the Post.
Norton, who said she was trying to make sure Congress does not intervene in the dispute, spoke briefly with Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl on Thursday.
Meanwhile, DC Council members David A. Catania (I-At Large) and Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) sent Wuerl a letter last week urging that Catholic Charities embrace a policy similar to one in effect at Georgetown University.
They said that the Catholic university gives benefits to some same-sex couples even though the university does not officially recognize that the beneficiaries are of the same sex.
Susan Gibbs, a Church spokeswoman, said archdiocese officials were happy that city leaders were "finally responding," but she said she was not sure the proposal alleviates the Church's concerns.
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D.C. officials press for compromise on Catholic Charities (Washington Post)