Irregular Times Diaries: Unfit Discussion

The Catholic Church has already received a substantial concession from the Washington D.C. City Council in the struggle over legislation that would grant marriage equality to all residents, regardless of sexual orientation. In order to placate the Catholic church’s lobbyists, the Council placed exemptions for religious organizations. If the law passes, churches won’t be required to treat people equally. They’ll be allowed to continue their policies of hateful disregard.

Oh, but that’s not enough for the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington D.C. The Archdiocese is now threatening to withhold services for poor people if marriage equality legislation becomes law.

The D.C. City Council has responded with a great deal more dignity than the Catholic Church seems able to muster. Council members say that if the Catholic Church wants to stop being charitable, then the City Council will simply step forward and make up the difference itself, but it will not allow any organization’s threats to interfere with the constitutional rights of the citizens of D.C.