The Hub of Politics

Massachusetts Governor (for the time being) Mitt Romney (R) has as promised filed a bill that, essentially, allows Catholics to practice their religion without interference from the Commonwealth.

The bill filed Wednesday would exempt Catholic Charities -- the social services arm of the Boston Archdiocese -- from a state antidiscrimination law that says it must provide adoption services to gay and lesbian couples.

In other words, it would stop the Commonwealth from compelling Catholic Charities from doing something the Church considers to be "gravely immoral" - that would be placing children in the homes of homosexual couples.

Naturally, the homosexual "rights" folks are none too happy with this development...

Arline Isaacson, the co-chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, called Romney's proposal reprehensible.

"These kids need loving and nurturing homes and if the best match for them is a gay family, they should be allowed to have that," she said.

Sure. And It's All About The Children™, right Arline?

It would seem that, in the minds of the Catholic Church, the "gravely immoral" act of placing kids in a homosexual household is, by default, not in the best interests of the children, no? But The Church is apparently not permitted to believe that, are they Ms. Isaacson.

And for the last time - no one is stopping the Commonwealth from allowing homosexuals to adopt. All the Church has asked is to be left out of it. But you cannot allow that, can you Ms. Isaacson.

Of course, we all know this has precisely no chance of passing...

The Act Protecting Religious Freedom bill also faces a tough road in the Legislature. House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and Senate President Robert Travaglini, both Democrats, have said they would oppose the Republican governor's efforts.

Both DiMasi and Travaglini are also, I'm pretty sure, Catholics. You're all shocked, I know.

The governor, a potential candidate for president in 2008, said he was concerned that the legal requirement that gays be given equal consideration as prospective adoptive parents violated Catholic Charities' religious beliefs.

"It is a matter beyond dispute, and a prerequisite to the preservation of liberty, that government not dictate to religious institutions the moral principles by which they are to carry out their charitable and divine mission," Romney said in a letter to House and Senate leaders.

Thanks, Governor. Couldn't have said it better.

Romney has argued that exempting religious organizations from nondiscrimination rules would not inhibit gay couples from adopting because other agencies can meet their needs.

Most adoptive children in Massachusetts are placed by the Department of Social Services.

Gee, where have I read that before? Oh, right. About half a page up, and in my last two pieces on this subject.

Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, a fellow Republican hoping to succeed Romney as governor, recently said she disagreed with the governor's position.

And someone still needs to explain to me why I should waste my time and efforts trying to get her elected. Anyone? Anyone?