Catholics agencies in Peoria, Joliet halt adoptions

A Catholic organization that licenses foster and adoptive parents has notified the state that it will halt licensing in two more Illinois cities because of a new law that would require it to place children with gay or unmarried couples.

Catholic Charities representatives in Peoria and Joliet sent separate letters to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services this week, saying the group places children only with married couples. On Tuesday, scores of same-sex couples applied for civil-union licenses under a new state law that allows them, along with unmarried opposite-sex couples, to get civil unions.

“It is the religious practice of Catholic Charities not to place children with unmarried cohabiting couples, whether same sex or opposite sex,” Glenn Van Cura, executive director of Catholic Charities of Joliet, wrote to the agency.

Tricia Fox, CEO for the organization in Peoria, wrote that the suspension was temporary. She said licensing could resume if religious agencies were allowed to refer applicants to other child welfare agencies.

Last week, the Rockford Catholic Diocese announced it would end its state-funded adoption and foster-care program rather than comply with the new law, and officials said other dioceses would decide quickly whether to follow suit.

DCFS spokesman Kendall Moore said the moves have “legal and logistical issues.” He said the letters are under review and the agency would continue working with Catholic Charities in the three cities to prevent disruption of children’s lives.

“Long term, this is not a workable solution,” Marlowe said.