This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A qualified couple denied the right to help foster children in the state of Massachusetts is challenging the state's discriminatory program in court.
The news of the case involving Mike and Kitty Burke comes from Becket.
The organization confirmed the fight was in court in Massachusetts recently, because of the state's decision to ban loving couples from welcoming children into their home.
The Burkes, faithful Catholics, wanted to foster, and adopt children.
"Even though Massachusetts has a foster care crisis, state officials refused to let the Burkes foster any children in the state because of their religious beliefs about marriage and sexuality. With the help of Becket, the Burkes are asking the court to ensure that qualified families are not punished for their religious beliefs and that vulnerable children are given a loving home," the legal team explained.
"Our state’s children deserve better than to be put in hospitals and office buildings rather than in safe, loving homes," the couple said in a statement released by their lawyers "“We pray the court stops Massachusetts’ campaign against vulnerable children and the many religious couples like us who wish to care for them."
Mike is an Iraq war veteran and Kitty is a former paraprofessional for special needs kids.
They run their own business and participate in the music program in their church.
"Children in foster care throughout Massachusetts are waiting for families like the Burkes. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) currently does not have enough foster homes or facilities to meet the needs of the children in its care, leaving some children without a family," Becket reported.
"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 Burkes passed on required tests for foster couples but then were refused because they held religious beliefs about gender and human sexuality.
"Massachusetts should be doing everything it can to alleviate its foster care crisis, but instead, it’s excluding loving couples from helping children in need,” said Lori Windham, vice president at Becket.
WND reported when the case was filed the state's action violated the Constitution.
The Supreme Court already has ruled on a closely related question. WND reported when the high court, in a unanimous decision, said Philadelphia could not force Catholic Social Services to violate its biblical beliefs in order to comply with the city's "non-discrimination" requirement concerning unmarried and same-sex duos.
The court's decision demolished Philadelphia's attempt to "cancel" Christian foster care agencies that refused city demands to violate their biblical standards and refer children to unmarried or same-sex couples.
Becket also fought that battle.
A decision in the new fight is not expected for some weeks.
