It is with much sadness that I have learned that the Commonwealth of Virginia has decided to attack religious freedom.  It is especially sad in light of the fact that it was Virginia that led the movement to ensure every American's freedom to practice their religion without fear of government intrusion. And yet the Commonwealth is proposing that all state-licensed adoption agencies, including those operated or overseen by churches, submit to the state and allow practicing homosexuals to adopt children. Not only does this "politically correct" decision fly in the face of scientific research which shows that children thrive and prosper when raised in two-parent (husband and wife) households, but it is also a direct attack on religious freedom. Based on divine and natural law, as well the tradition that is declared in Scripture, we Catholics hold that homosexual acts are a "grave depravity." Further: "Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2357). Note that this condemnation is NOT a condemnation of the person, but of behavior only. We are all sinners in need of redemption. The "urge" to engage in homosexual behavior is NOT a serious sin; only the act itself. However, since it is a "grave depravity", it is a usurpation of power for the state to force Catholic adoption agencies to place innocent children in an environment where their caretakers are engaged in acts of "grave depravity." To force Catholic agencies to do that is an abuse of power which would appall our Founders. Freedom to practice one's religion without government intrusion is a fundamental right of all Americans. Since the Catholic Church teaches that homosexaul acts are of a "grave depravity," the Commonwealth cannot force Catholic agencies to violate their beliefs by placing innocent children in the homes of practicing homosexuals. That is a clear violation of the Constitution. Furthermore, since scientific research demonstrates that childre are far better off when raised in a two-parent household, where those two parents are husband-wife/man-woman, it is a grave disservice to children and a further abuse of power to place them in any other home environment. Again, this is NOT meant to be interpreted as an attack on any person. Not at all. Rather, it is a defense of religious freedom in Virginia and in America. Thank you.