World News
District votes for same-sex marriage; archdiocese continues dialogue
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WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Washington Archdiocese vowed continued dialogue with the District of Columbia's City Council to seek "a balance of interests in the legislation" after the council Dec. 1 gave preliminary approval to a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. In an 11-2 vote the council passed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009. A required second vote was to take place in the weeks ahead, then the bill was to be sent on to Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has said he will sign it. District laws also are subject to congressional review under the Home Rule Charter. "As the legislation moves forward, the Archdiocese of Washington will continue its dialogue with the council," Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said in a Dec. 1 statement. As written, the current legislation would require faith-based social service providers to compromise their religious teachings and beliefs on gay marriage in order to be eligible to partner with the district government in providing social services to Washington residents. The Washington Archdiocese is morally opposed to the bill because it redefines marriage. The church's opposition is based on the Catholic Church's teaching that marriage is a permanent union between one man and one woman.
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