After gay marriage was officially legalized last week in Washington, D.C., the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington announced it would no longer allow employees’ spouses to enroll in its benefits plan.
A spokesman for the organization told Business Insider it would end benefits in order to comply with non-discrimination laws.
The change to our benefits package allows us to remain in compliance with District of Columbia law; adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church on marriage, defined as solely between a man and a woman; and allow us to continue our partnership with the district in serving more than 68,000 people last year in need.
The organization employs 850 employees and about 85 have spousal coverage, spokesman Erik Salmi confirmed to TPM.
Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl defended the decision, telling the Washington Post that it still complies with the Catholic Church’s teachings as long as employees are paid a “just wage.”
The ban will not affect spouses already receiving benefits, but will apply to new employees, new spouses of employees, and current spouses not already enrolled.
A former executive of the group wrote a letter to the board last week asking it to reverse its decision.
“Providing health care to a gay or lesbian partner — a basic human right, according to Church teaching — is an end in itself and no more legitimizes that marriage than giving communion to a divorced person legitimizes divorce, or giving food or shelter to an alcoholic legitimizes alcoholism,” wrote the executive and former priest, Tim Sawina.
A second former executive has also publicly opposed the decision.
A request for a response from Catholic Charities is pending.
The decision follows a move by Catholic Charities to end its foster care program, transferring it to the National Center for Children and Families, again in response to the new gay marriage law.
