BishopAccountability.org
	Cardinal Levada's Edict Editorial San Francisco Chronicle March 19, 2006 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/ 2006/03/19/EDG77HNG121.DTL As Second in command at the Vatican, you would think that San Francisco's former archbishop, William Levada, has enough on has hands -- namely, a backlog of some 700 priest-abuse cases. But in response to a recent inquiry by a Boston Globe reporter regarding his role in the placement of three children with gay parents during his time as archbishop, Levada sent an e-mail to the San Francisco archdiocese making his opposition to the practice clear. "It has been, and remains, my position that Catholic agencies should not place children for adoption in homosexual households." Because of the conflict between the church's stand and the state's anti-discrimination laws, Catholic Charities of Boston has opted to end adoptions altogether -- which leaves San Francisco's archdiocese in a tough position. A statement from the archdiocese read: "We fully accept and faithfully teach what the Catholic Church teaches on marriage and family life." But what happens when "accepting" and "teaching" beliefs undermine a much-needed community service? In this case, couples should be judged on their ability to provide a loving, stable home -- not on their sexual orientation. San Francisco's Catholic Charities has a history of finding quality homes for children whose special needs make it difficult to find adoptive parents. But if they are forced to carry out Levada's order, these children have even less of a chance of finding a home. "There have been studies showing that gay couples, because of their role in society and because they are often seen as second-class citizens, are more open to adopting children with special needs," said Brad Luna, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay-rights organization. "Also, gay couples are not seen as the ideal family, so it's easier for them to foster kids with special needs, then later adopt them." Which is why agencies such as Catholic Charities, that, up until now, did not prevent adoptions to gay couples, are sorely needed. "I'm a Catholic, a father, a teacher. I have two grandchildren," said San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano. "Levada's statement is not only dehumanizing, but it also drives away people who the church can benefit from. Where's the love and acceptance that the church says it embraces?" At a time when the church is seeing a steady decline in attendance, Cardinal Levada should focus more on supporting Catholic agencies that strengthen communities, and less on enforcing outdated edicts that rip them apart.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.