The RC statement is nothing but more mean-spirited bile from an institution that has lost its moral compass completely. Such a shame that this action comes as no surprise whatsoever.

Frankly I think it's a shameless power play with the poor used as pawns.

By the way, remember that Donald Weurl and Bob Duncan are old friends. Surprised?

I read the following assessment of this threat at Shakesville:

Just so we're all on the same page, the Catholic Church doesn't want to extend partner benefits to same-sex married couples, because they view homosexuality as a sin. The Catholic Church also believes that all of its employees are sinners, by virtue of its doctrine viewing all humans as sinners. But they're not arguing that they shouldn't be compelled to extend benefits to those sinners, nor would they argue that providing healthcare coverage to people whose bad health habits they regard as sinful (gluttony! sloth! lust!) is a tacit endorsement of those sins. It's a special argument reserved especially just for the very special case of gay people and their specialized sin.

It's bad enough that the Roman Catholic Church would pour massive amounts of cash into the Maine referendum that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry, while closing parishes because it can no longer afford them (thanks in part to the pedophilia scandal).

But for the RCC to threaten to starve homeless people to continue its war against the "very special sin" of homosexuality really takes my breath away.

Just what exactly is the "Good News" they are offering? And how/where do they intend to offer it when they would rather close up shop than see tax-paying American citizens have equal rights under the law?

Paige Baker

Jesus Christ told us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, house the homeless, care for the sick and visit the jailed -- unconditionally, without any qualifiers as to who receives that charity. He also said that when we don't do those things to those in need, we're not doing it to him either, so we won't inherit his kingdom. Does the Roman Catholic establishment realize what peril it has put itself in, according to the gospel, by brandishing charity (and withholding it) as a blatant power ploy?

Divorce is also considered a sin according to Roman Catholic teaching. But divorce is also legal in Washington DC. So why hasn't the Roman Catholic establishment shut down its charities and ended its social action partnership with government over divorce and having to deal with divorcees, either as employees or clients?

Thank heavens for Jesus Christ, who welcomed sinners and dined with them, and shared his table with tax collectors and harlots, despite the raised eyebrows and character assassination of the "religious right" of his day.

Gergory Orloff

cause the government to discontinue our long partnership with them [the RC Archdiocese]

Nothing but that passive-aggressive *BS*.

JC Fisher

This tired and manipulative ploy is sickening. The leadership of the Roman Church continues to show itself to be morally and ethically disordered. Objectively disordered, at that, for it is one thing just to be unethical or immoral, but for a church to be so, as in this case, is at odds with their "object."

This is public blackmail, the DC government should respond by withdrawing all financial aid processed through Catholic Charities.I am sure many protestant organizations can be found to step up to the plate.

By the way, the Romans took this same tact with the country of Brazil a few years ago when it was at the cutting edge of supporting gay rights at the United Nations. This practice derives from the threats them made in medieval times to free populations of their allegiance to the monarch unless the monarch towed the Roman line

They add the crime of blackmail now to their "megisterium's" other moral crimes.

Shame on them.

HEY! What if the Episcopal Church offered to step in with Episcopal Social Services to fill the gap???? We'd probably just hire the folks the RC's let go and make a huge statement about how serious we are about these issues.

Why the anti-Catholicism on this site? Can't folks accept that the Catholic Church has a moral theology and that it intends to obey it? The Catholic Church has been caring for "the least of these" for a long time-- however imperfectly--and to a greater degree than any other body. Whatever aid the government gives the Church or Catholic Charities to aid in their help to the sick, the poor, the orphan, the widow, the imprisoned, it is only a part of the cost. C'mon, do you think our tiny Church can take on the burden that the Catholic Church has shouldered? If so, let's get on with it. If not, how about taking a break from the latter day Knownothing anti-Catholicism?

BTW, isn't this blog an official organ of the Episcopal Church? How does this further ecumenical relations?

Fr. Bill Ledbetter in LA

It isn't helpful, or fair, to equate criticism of specific actions of particular Catholics with anti-Catholicism. And the question about why an Episcopal Church site would give space to a statement by an Episcopal bishop isn't worth answering.

Mr. Naughton,

Can you read the comments below and not see the anti-Catholicism?

"magisterium's other moral crimes"

"The leadership of the Roman Church continues to show itself to be morally and ethically disordered."

"The RC statement is nothing but more mean-spirited bile from an institution that has lost its moral compass completely. "

Those aren't the words of Bishop Chane, they are comments of others that express animus -- to put it mildly-- toward the Catholic Church.

Fr. Bill Ledbetter

I don't think these comments constitute anti-Catholicism. The Church is rightly subject to the same scrutiny as any institution that functions in the public sphere. No more smearing other commenters, please. If you would like to disagree with them, disagree with them, but no more name calling.