Romney Files Bill to Grant Exemption to Catholic Charities
By Eric Francke, MassNews Staff
       Governor Mitt Romney yesterday filed a bill aimed at granting exemption to Catholic Charities from the statutory prohibitions of discrimination against gays in their adoption policies.   The First Amendment rights of Catholic Charities to adhere to their religious principles came under attack last week when state officials announced that the organization had to comply with state guidelines in allowing children to be placed in same-sex households, despite recent pronouncements from the Vatican and Boston’s four bishops condemning the practice. 
       The bill, called “An Act Protecting Religious Freedom,” authorizes religious organizations to provide adoption services in a manner that is consistent with their religious mission – specifically, exempting them from anti-discriminatory language regarding gay couples.   Romney noted that gay couples could still adopt from a number of other adoption programs in the state.
       Late last week, Catholic Charities had announced that it would get out of the adoption business altogether rather than be forced by the state to compromise its principles.   Their stand was condemned not only by the gay activist groups, but also by leaders on Beacon Hill like Speaker Sal DiMasi, Senate President Robert Travaglini and U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, who prides himself on being Roman Catholic.   Even Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey took Catholic Charities to task over their stand for their religious freedom. 
       With opposition in both houses on Beacon Hill, Romney’s bill for Religious Freedom faces an uphill battle.  Interestingly enough, this scenario was predicted two years ago by Harvard Law professor Mary Ann Glendon, who forsaw that the same-sex marriage ruling was going to be used as a hammer to bludgeon religious liberty.  “Every person and every religion that disagrees will be labeled as bigoted and openly discriminated against,” she said.   “The ax will fall most heavily on religious persons and groups that don't go along. Religious institutions will be hit with lawsuits if they refuse to compromise their principles."

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