Washington DC – New Turn in Debate Over Law on Marriage (The New York Times)

EXCERPT from New York Times: New Turn in Debate Over Law on Marriage By IAN URBINA Published: November 12, 2009

WASHINGTON – The fight over a proposed same-sex marriage law here heated up this week as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said that if the law passed, the church would cut its social service programs that help residents with adoption, homelessness and health care.
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"Religious organizations and individuals are at risk of legal action for refusing to promote and support same-sex marriages in a host of settings where it would compromise their religious beliefs," Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said in a statement. "This includes employee benefits, adoption services and even the use of a church hall for non-wedding events for same-sex married couples."
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"The Catholic Church hierarchy is at a crossroads," said the Rev. Dennis W. Wiley, the co-chairman of Clergy United for Marriage Equality and the pastor of Covenant Baptist Church. "They must decide whether they are in the charity business for charity's sake, or if imposing their will on the D.C. City Council and the citizens of the district is their primary interest."

Read the full article at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/us/13marriage.html