Maine’s Catholic church withdrew its support for the homeless as a result of gay marriage, the Portland Press Herald reports.
Bishop Richard Malone said Preble Street’s Homeless Voices for Justice’s support of Maine’s No on 1 campaign, which would maintain the state’s marriage equality, violated the social service group’s grant agreement, the article continues.
The church’s withdrawal from the shelter’s support means an unmet need of at least $17,400 for the current year and $33,000 the next.
Washington D.C.’s Catholic church implemented similar measures earlier this year, freezing health benefits to new spouses of its organization and eliminating its adoption and foster care programs, all a result of the district’s gay marriage law.
“We liked Homeless Voices a great deal,” Malone told the Portland Press Herald. “I felt badly for having to cancel the grant. This was very difficult for us to do.”
For the original Portland Press Herald article, click here.
