By Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The general counsel of the U.S. bishops was one of more than 100 leaders from varying religious organizations asking Congress to turn back legislation that would deny religious charities the right to hire only people of the same faith if those charities receive federal grants.

Anthony Picarello added his name to the Aug. 25 letter, sent to each member of the House and Senate, asking lawmakers to reject any legislation that would “dilute the right of faith-based social service organizations to stay faith-based through their hiring.”

“Stripping away the religious hiring rights of religious service providers violates the principle of religious freedom, and represents bad practice in the delivery of social services,” Picarello said.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was the only explicitly Catholic organization to have a leader sign the letter. Most of the other signers came from Christian aid organizations or colleges.

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