Second ex-Catholic Charities officer criticizing health-care cut

[Art321]

Capping off a week of controversy at Catholic Charities, a second high-ranking former executive sent a statement to the Post today, opposing the organization’s recent decision to eliminate health benefits for spouses as as a way to avoid offering benefits to the same-sex partners of its workers.

Wayne L. Swann, former vice president of human resources, makes his argument against the cuts on theological and business grounds. “It is incomprehensible that given its tireless efforts on behalf of the poor and vulnerable that the Catholic Church would deny anything to people in need,” Swann writes, “…The expense of acquiring individual coverage for spouses by employees of Catholic Charities will be a significant financial burden and may be cost prohibitive during this time of ever increasing premiums and current economic conditions.”

The Archdiocese didn’t provide a specific response to the letter, but in recent days Archbishop Donald Wuerl has argued that the reduction of benefits is justifiable under Catholic teaching as long as employees are paid a just wage. Wuerl and church officials have said reducing spousal benefits was a tough decision but was necessary for Catholic Charities to continue its social service programs.

Read more at: newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2010/03/by_william_wan_capping_off.html