Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) denied Michael and Catherine “Kitty” Burke’s applications citing that their faith did not support LGBTQ children.
The Christian couple issued a statement
The statement, released by the Becket law firm representing them, said, “After months of interviews and training, and after years of heartbreak, we were on the verge of finally becoming parents. We were absolutely devastated to learn that Massachusetts would rather children sleep in the hallways of hospitals than let us welcome children in need into our home.”
Court’s decision cited religion
The court filing, obtained by National Review, said, “Their faith is not supportive, and neither are they,” adding they “would not be affirming to a child who identified as LGBTQIA.”
Lengthy process
The couple underwent 30 hours of training, lengthy interviews, and an assessment of their home, health, and family life. While the official in charge of their foster parent license evaluation said the Burkes were “lovely people, they added neither faith, nor they would be supportive.
The couple filed a lawsuit
The lawsuit says the couple “believe that all children should be loved and supported, and they would never reject a child placed in their home.”
It also talks about their family values
The lawsuit further said, “They also believe that children should not undergo procedures that attempt to change their God-given sex, and they uphold Catholic beliefs about marriage and sexuality.”
Blaming Massachusetts
Additionally, it stated, “Because of those decent and honorable beliefs, DCF decided the Burkes were not ‘affirming’ and therefore prohibited from fostering any child in Massachusetts.”
The law firm behind the couple spoke up
Lori Windham, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, said, “It takes the heroic effort of parents like Mike and Kitty to provide vulnerable children with loving homes through foster care.”
The lawyer wondered
Windham continued, “Massachusetts’ actions leave the Burkes, and families of other faiths, out in the cold. How can they explain this to children waiting for a home?”
DCF social worker reportedly asked the burning questions
Linda-Jeanne Mack, a DCF social worker who interviewed the Burks, said she “directly asked Kitty if she would throw a child out of the home or send a child to conversion therapy.” Kitty replied she would never throw a child out who is LGBTQIA+ and would not use conversion therapy, the filing alleged.
The husband talked about going to gay weddings
Michael reportedly said, “Catholics do not hate lesbians or gay people. it is the act they have an issue with because they look at marriage as between a woman and a man and that sex is an act of marriage.” However, he said he attended several gay weddings.
The license Review Team’s decision
After denying their application, the review team said, “Issue(s) of concern for which the couple’s license study was denied is based on the couple’s statements/responses regarding placement of children who identified LGBTQIA.”
Over 1500 kids need foster homes
The Becket Fund stated, “The crisis has become so extreme that the state has resorted to housing children in hospitals for weeks on end. Now more than ever, Massachusetts needs the help of parents like Mike and Kitty to foster children in need.” The state reportedly has over 1,500 children in need of a home.
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