Response from the Adoption agency that excluded Catholics

[Ian David]

Catholics are now allowed to adopt, as are "All families in agreement with the agency's Statement of Faith."

I wonder if they're still excluding gay Christians...

See related threads:
Mississippi Adoption Firm: No Catholics
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1629925

DU This Poll: Do Catholics have right to adopt through Protestant agency?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=221x13897


Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2005
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Bethany Christian Services



Thank you for submitting your electronic inquiry regarding the practice of
our Mississippi office as it relates to serving Catholic families in our
adoption program. We have been overwhelmed by the number of communications
we received related to this issue and regret that we cannot individually
answer all of the requests and comments.

We are sending out this email as a follow-up to the inquiries and
comments, hoping it will answer your questions and concerns. We have read,
listened and learned from your communications and have changed the
practice in Mississippi to bring consistency to all Bethany branches
across the country. We will continue to work with all families that agree
to our Statement of Faith. The following links will provide more detail:

View our press release on our website at http://www.bethany.org/press

View our statement of faith on our website at
http://www.bethany.org/faithstatement

News coverage follow-up from WLBT-TV, the station that originally broke
the story at www.bethany.org/WLBT-TV


If you still have concerns that have not been addressed by this
information or would like to make comments, you may call our national
office at 616.574.7911 or email us at [e-mail].

Again, we apologize for offending families and all partners of Bethany,
and regret any pain and hurt caused by this issue. Thank you for your
patience and understanding as we continue to grow and improve our services
to children and families.

Sincerely,

Glenn DeMotts
CEO
Bethany Christian Services

Per DU Rules, Press Releases can be posted in entirety.

BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES OF MISSISSIPPI
VOTES TO SERVE CATHOLIC FAMILIES


Grand Rapids, MI-- July 20, 2005 --The local Board of Directors for Bethany Christian Services of Mississippi met in Jackson on July 19, and voted unanimously to change their practice to now include Catholic families in all adoption programs. “The Board in Mississippi responded appropriately and is now consistent with Bethany’s national practice,” said Glenn DeMots, President and CEO of Bethany Christian Services.

The National Board of Bethany Christian Services also met July 19, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and unanimously voted to reaffirm that “All families in agreement with the agency’s Statement of Faith, including Catholic families, are eligible to adopt.” The Board also stated that all Bethany offices will comply with this practice. “We are sorry for offending families and all partners of Bethany, and regret any pain and hurt caused by this issue,” said DeMots.

Bethany offices throughout the United States have worked with Catholic families for years. Statistics show that over 16 percent of Bethany’s adoptions in 2004 were with Catholic families. “Bethany has and will continue to place children with loving Christian families,” added DeMots.

Recently, the Stedman family was denied services from Bethany Christian Services of Mississippi on the basis of their Catholic faith. “We are pleased that Bethany listened to our concerns and made the change to work with Catholic families,” said Robert Stedman. “Bethany does admirable work and we can now be supportive of this pro-life ministry.” Sandy Stedman adds, “This decision by Bethany speaks volumes. We hope and pray this unites Christians.”

Bethany Christian Services is a Christ-centered, not-for-profit, pro-life, adoption and family services agency with over 75 locations in 32 states and ministries in 15 other countries. In addition to adoption services, Bethany provides birthparent counseling, family counseling, foster care programs, refugee services, and an infertility ministry called Stepping Stones. In 2004, Bethany placed 1,840 children (domestic and international) with their adoptive families and served over 10,000 children through other ministries. Bethany Christian Services was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.


For more details on this story from WLBT News in Jackson, Mississippi, go to:

BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES OF MISSISSIPPI VOTES TO SERVE CATHOLIC FAMILIES

Grand Rapids, MI-- July 20, 2005 --The local Board of Directors for Bethany Christian Services of Mississippi met in Jackson on July 19, and voted unanimously to change their practice to now include Catholic families in all adoption programs. “The Board in Mississippi responded appropriately and is now consistent with Bethany’s national practice,” said Glenn DeMots, President and CEO of Bethany Christian Services.

The National Board of Bethany Christian Services also met July 19, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and unanimously voted to reaffirm that “All families in agreement with the agency’s Statement of Faith, including Catholic families, are eligible to adopt.” The Board also stated that all Bethany offices will comply with this practice. “We are sorry for offending families and all partners of Bethany, and regret any pain and hurt caused by this issue,” said DeMots.

Bethany offices throughout the United States have worked with Catholic families for years. Statistics show that over 16 percent of Bethany’s adoptions in 2004 were with Catholic families. “Bethany has and will continue to place children with loving Christian families,” added DeMots.

Recently, the Stedman family was denied services from Bethany Christian Services of Mississippi on the basis of their Catholic faith. “We are pleased that Bethany listened to our concerns and made the change to work with Catholic families,” said Robert Stedman. “Bethany does admirable work and we can now be supportive of this pro-life ministry.” Sandy Stedman adds, “This decision by Bethany speaks volumes. We hope and pray this unites Christians.”

Bethany Christian Services is a Christ-centered, not-for-profit, pro-life, adoption and family services agency with over 75 locations in 32 states and ministries in 15 other countries. In addition to adoption services, Bethany provides birthparent counseling, family counseling, foster care programs, refugee services, and an infertility ministry called Stepping Stones. In 2004, Bethany placed 1,840 children (domestic and international) with their adoptive families and served over 10,000 children through other ministries. Bethany Christian Services was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

[davidinalameda]

1. I don't understand how a group that receives public funds

can discriminate on the basis of religion

I'm sure they'd turn members of non-Christian religions away