Please preserve religious freedom! Allow both faith-based and non-faith-based options...
In April, 2011, the State Board of Social Services correctly upheld the fundamental right of faith-based child placement agencies to continue their great work of helping children and families without governmental intrusion into the practice of their faith.
Forcing faith-based adoption organizations to close is not the answer, and that is what will happen if this decision is reversed. It's already happened in MA, DC, and IL. There are currently both faith-based and non-faith-based options out there. Please let it remain that way. On the same token, I wouldn't want the law to be changed to force all adoption agencies to be faith-based either.
Potential adoptive parents and more importantly, the mothers about to give birth, may feel more comforted by using a faith-based agency. Let them practice their faith!
Our adoption program at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington achieved Hague Accreditation last year. This means that our international adoption services meet the standards outlined by the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. It would be a shame if we were forced to close down our world-class program.
