More than 30 states have laws forcing businesses to hire homosexuals, but many exempt churches and faith-based operations. Now a Colorado bill is taking aim at those religious organizations. It's even drawn the attention of the Vatican.
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes has offered his support for Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput’s recent stand against the legislation.
"We seldom see the Vatican stepping into a U.S. state-level fight," said Tom Minnery, senior vice president of government and public policy at Focus on the Family Action. "The Vatican sees the same pressures building everywhere, and has become greatly concerned about it."
The bill would remove the religious exemption if a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter receives any government funding, including federal funds. Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus Action, said that may violate the Constitution.
"There are constitutional issues involved here," he said, "as to whether a state can impose restrictions upon a religious entity, based on money that comes from the federal government."
Jim Pfaff, president of Colorado Family Action, said, "It's a dangerous bill, designed to cause harm to religious and, I think specifically, Christian and Catholic organizations."
